Windows is a system that isn’t exactly known for its excessive focus on privacy and security. Unlike macOS users who enjoy built-in security, Windows users are left stranded and open to online threats. This raises concerns among PC users looking to patch up this problem.
Thankfully, most of your online security issues can be fixed with the best VPN for Windows. Given its overwhelming popularity, many companies produce VPN apps for this platform. As a result, choosing the best VPN for Windows in 2024 becomes increasingly difficult.
However, after day-and-night testing, we can confidently give you our top 5 favorite PC VPN apps that will give you the best possible experience. Therefore, if you’re worried about your online privacy, I suggest staying along for the ride!
Top 5 VPNs for Windows :
- NordVPN
- ExpressVPN
- CyberGhost VPN
- Surfshark
- Proton VPN
Best Windows VPN – Our Top 5 Favorite Providers for PC
Before proceeding with our list for 2024, I want to clarify one thing. Today’s list will consist of paid providers, so don’t expect to get the best free VPN for Windows.
The reason lies in free VPNs’ inferiority in terms of security, performance, and privacy, which somewhat nullifies the purpose of using a VPN. And when looking for the absolute best providers, you want to avoid certain pitfalls that free services come with.
Hence, to give you the best possible choice, we decided to go for premium ones. They won’t cost you a fortune but you can rest assured that your privacy and security will remain intact. On top of that, you’ll be able to get special discounts on all of them through our site, so stay tuned and keep reading!
1. NordVPN
Pros
- Double VPN
- More than 6,400 servers
- NordLynx protocol
- Dedicated P2P servers
- Great-looking Windows app
- Included malware scanner on Windows
Cons
- VAT taxes in Europe and the US
- Occasional connection issues
Talking about the best VPN providers for PC, NordVPN is a choice we can’t miss. Its Windows app looks stunning, with a beautiful world map and servers on the left-hand side. Although it’s not as easy to use as ExpressVPN, you’ll rarely lose track of it even if you’re not tech-savvy.
NordVPN is incredibly feature-rich, so talking about all of them would take a separate article. However, its main benefits include 6,400+ servers in 111+ countries, which includes tons of dedicated servers. They include P2P, onion over VPN, obfuscated, and Double VPN servers.
I like Double VPN servers a lot given their ability to double your encryption and give you much stronger security. Conversely, obfuscated servers let you use NordVPN in censored countries, while P2P and onion over VPN servers are here for torrenting and the dark web respectively.
To maximize your security, NordVPN offers 256-bit encryption. This is backed up by a kill switch, IP leak protection, and NordLynx. NordLynx is a proprietary VPN protocol similar to Lightway, which makes NordVPN one of the fastest and most secure VPNs on the market.
Being based in Panama, you can also expect the highest level of privacy here. NordVPN stores no logs and its zero-logs policy is verified by Deloitte and PwC several times. Even better, Windows users can enjoy bonus Threat Protection from NordVPN.
This suite includes a malware scanner and a Dark Web Monitor, which is super useful. In terms of entertainment, NordVPN is torrent-friendly, meaning that you can utilize torrent clients or enjoy Popcorn Time on Windows effortlessly.
It does work with Netflix, letting you unblock BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and HBO Max on top of that. Much like every other VPN on the list, NordVPN’s device support goes beyond Windows, and you get 10 simultaneous connections on one subscription.
This is a relatively affordable VPN and is priced moderately, at around $3/mo. If you don’t mind value-added taxes in the US and UK, and occasional connection issues on Windows, NordVPN is a great choice. You can get its cheapest deal below along with a 30-day money-back guarantee for all plans.
Want to know more about its service? Read our NordVPN review here.
2. ExpressVPN
Pros
- More than 3,000 servers in 105 countries
- OpenVPN & Lightway support
- Torrenting-friendly
- Works with Netflix
- No-logging policy
- Easy-to-use app for Windows
Cons
- Not the cheapest prices
- Very light on features
Another great VPN for Windows 11 and 10 is ExpressVPN. Apart from Windows 10, this VPN works on older versions of the system, the latest version (Windows 11), and offers a great-looking application. It’s really easy to use and you can connect to the best server in a single click – literally!
ExpressVPN’s wide array of features springs to action exactly on this platform. As a result, you can fully utilize its 3,000+ servers in 105 countries which allows you to quickly change your IP address. Windows users will value its focus on privacy and security, which Microsoft’s platform doesn’t possess.
As such, you get 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, split tunneling, and solid IP/DNS leak protection. Moreover, this great Windows VPN comes with the largest choice of protocols. Apart from OpenVPN and IKEv2, ExpressVPN gives you Lightway.
This proprietary protocol boosts your security and performance, making ExpressVPN the fastest choice on the market. During our testing, we encountered no IP leaks, which is great for privacy, and so is a no-logging policy verified by PwC and KPMG.
Indeed, ExpressVPN stores no logs of your browsing history or IP address, making your browsing adventures completely anonymous. Speaking of which, you can span your adventures in many ways, some of which include safe torrenting or streaming on Netflix US, Japan, or Canada.
ExpressVPN is a great streaming VPN, letting you unblock a wide array of streaming platforms. In terms of torrenting, PC users will be able to enjoy Vuze, uTorrent, or BitTorrent to the fullest, without risking getting traced by the authorities or ISPs.
Windows users also get a Speed Test functionality. This allows you to test each server to determine the fastest speeds and get the best performance. Needless to say, ExpressVPN supports all platforms you can think of, giving you 8 simultaneous connections on a single account.
Downsides? Well, nothing in particular, except for the lack of a few features. Its prices are a tad more expensive and that’s about it. Still, you can get its 48% discount and 3 months free for the annual plan, PLUS a 30-day money-back guarantee, reducing its price drastically. Don’t wait – get the best VPN for Windows now!
3. CyberGhost
Pros
- 12,000+ servers around the world
- IPv6 and DNS leak protection
- Dedicated streaming, gaming, and P2P servers
- WireGuard protocol for better speeds
- 45-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- Doesn’t work in China
- Not the easiest to use
CyberGhost is one of the best VPNs for Windows in 2024, although slightly inferior to NordVPN. While its Windows app can be clunky from time to time and isn’t the most user-friendly, we think it doesn’t make it less great.
In fact, you’ll get used to it pretty quickly and learn where each setting is located in a few minutes. Once you get past that, CyberGhost will greet you with 12,000+ servers in 100 countries, making ExpressVPN look like a baby in comparison – at least server-wise!
However, it’s not all about the size here, as CyberGhost honors its PC users with the largest selection of features. Security-wise, you get military-grade encryption, a kill switch that works great, and IPv6/DNS leak protection.
Unlike some of its rivals, CyberGhost comes with an ad-blocker, too, but also WireGuard support. WireGuard is here to improve your speeds, and although slower than NordVPN, CyberGhost still shows impressive, stable performance.
CyberGhost belongs to Kape Technologies. Its focus on privacy is undeniable, especially due to its Romanian jurisdiction. This allows the VPN to store no logs whatsoever, backing them up with transparency reports published every 3 months plus a third-party audit by Deloitte.
The best VPN for PC like CyberGhost offers more commodities. For one, you get dedicated streaming servers for unblocking Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and many other platforms. However, I really like its torrenting servers that only Windows users can enjoy.
With them, you can download torrents safely and securely, with no security risks. Gaming servers are also here, so users with beefy Windows computers can enjoy Apex Legends, Fortnite, or CSGO lag-free and free of DDoS attacks.
If you don’t mind its minor downsides, CyberGhost can be a great VPN for Windows in 2024. After all, it offers 7 simultaneous connections, extremely affordable prices, and a 45-day money-back guarantee for all long-term plans. You can get its cheapest deal by using the button below.
Visit CyberGhost and Subscribe
4. Surfshark
Pros
- Customizable Windows app
- NoBorders mode for bypassing censorship
- Good for Netflix and BBC iPlayer
- 24/7 customer support
- Ad-blocker included
Cons
- Not the best speeds
- Occasionally long connection times
If you want another affordable Windows VPN provider, you might want to consider Surfshark. Without a doubt, this is one of our favorite VPNs for Windows mainly because of its beautiful app. We like its ease of use but also the ability to switch to a Dark theme to reduce the strain on your eyes.
Rarely, if ever, you’ll encounter any bugs on its Windows app and that’s the appeal of Surfshark. Conversely, Surfshark offers the best experience on this platform. Apart from 3,200 servers in 100 countries, you can enjoy a full security suite whose backbone is 256-bit AES encryption.
Features like split tunneling, a kill switch, and IP leak protection make their appearance as well. However, Surfshark introduced CleanWeb, an ad-blocker, and something called NoBorders mode for bypassing censorship in China.
If you pay a bit over a dollar a month more, you can also get its antivirus and true incognito mode, bringing Surfshark to a whole new level. And speaking of levels, the maximum level of privacy can be expected due to its certified no-logs policy and the Dutch jurisdiction that ensures privacy.
Being the best VPN for Windows, Surfshark offers P2P-friendly servers, along with MultiHop servers. They allow you to route your traffic through multiple servers which double your encryption and make your online activities untraceable even by CIA-level hackers.
Users who use their laptop or PC to enjoy streaming can rest easy. Surfshark for Windows is surprisingly capable of unblocking several Netflix catalogs but also Hulu and Disney+. With WireGuard support and solid, albeit not the best performance, you can enjoy smooth streaming as per your wish.
Now, for the highlight – unlimited simultaneous connections. You’re probably not limited only to Windows, and if that’s the case, you’ll want to utilize Surfshark on other devices. Well, there’s no limit to that and you can protect as many of them as you want at the same time.
Finally, it offers 24/7 live chat support and the aforementioned affordable prices akin to those of CyberGhost. Needless to say, it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee as well, so you can test it out risk-free and get its cheapest prices by using the button below.
More information is available in our Surfshark review.
5. Proton VPN
Pros
- Extremely strong security
- Secure Core servers
- 10 simultaneous connections
- Unblocks Netflix US
Cons
- It doesn’t have any free months
- Average customer support
Last but not least, we also must mention Proton VPN. While not exactly our favorite VPN for Windows, we like it a lot because of its intuitive and good-looking app. To be honest, We never had any issues with its Windows app, as it’s smooth, easy to use, and allows for a one-click connection.
Proton VPN is just shy of 8,700+ servers in 112+ countries which isn’t as impressive as CyberGhost. However, it’s based in Switzerland and Swiss security laws are among the most stringent in the world. Apart from a clear no-logs policy, Proton VPN boasts other security features proudly.
They include bank-grade encryption, WireGuard support, a kill switch, and an ad-blocker. One of the best features is definitely Secure Core, which functions the same as MultiHop in Surfshark. P2P servers are here too and are great for torrenting-oriented users.
The fact that Windows users get the best treatment here is also backed up by solid streaming capabilities. Sure, it won’t unblock as many Netflix catalogs but it works with Netflix US and you can use it to watch foreign TV channels abroad.
Moreover, Proton VPN has a so-called VPN Accelerator for additionally boosting speeds and performance. This lets you enjoy reasonably fast torrenting and streaming in Full HD regardless of the server you choose.
If you need a free VPN for Windows in 2024, know that Proton VPN offers a forever-free plan with unlimited bandwidth. However, you’ll get the most out of it in the paid version, where you can enjoy 10 simultaneous connections and Tor Over VPN support for accessing the dark web safely.
Focusing solely on security, Proton VPN is surely one of the best Windows VPN services in 2024. As a result, it’s a bit more expensive, more so than NordVPN. Still, with a 30-day money-back guarantee in place for all plans, testing it out will be totally risk-free
Should you decide to get Proton VPN, you can claim its cheapest deal by using the button below. For a more expensive provider like this, it’s crucial to save every dollar and you can now do so by clicking the button and claiming the cheapest available deal.
Why Should You Use the Best VPN for Windows?
The best VPN for Windows in 2024 can provide you with numerous benefits. However, if you’re still not convinced about why you should use it, here are some of the possibilities you can enjoy with a great Windows VPN:
Online Privacy
Obviously, our favorite VPN for Windows will allow you to enjoy an anonymous browsing experience. Why is this important? Well, because, without a Virtual Private Network, your private information is exposed to pretty much anyone online, and most importantly, your ISP.
The Internet Service Provider sees your online activities all the time, which in itself, is already privacy-breaking. As a result of constant surveillance, your ISP can employ censorship, restrict certain websites, and slow down your internet connection.
However, a VPN hides your IP address, encrypts your connection, and makes it untraceable. That way, your ISP cannot intercept your connection and you’re perfectly safe from hacking attacks and government surveillance.
If you care about your online privacy and you don’t want malicious companies to have your personal info at their fingertips, a VPN is mandatory.
All this is also great if you want to enjoy the Internet freely. If you know how to use a VPN, you know how to access a blocked site.
Safe & Secure Torrenting
The best VPN for Windows is often used for torrenting. Logically, that is because Windows is the only platform that allows you to take full advantage of P2P file-sharing. Torrenting is frowned upon in many worldwide countries, making this activity very dangerous.
People in Europe and the USA are known for getting fined for downloading copyrighted torrents. In Germany, for example, the fines can go up to $5,000 for a single copyrighted file. Moreover, countries like the UAE will punish you with either jail time or a fine of up to $14,000.
How is this possible, you may ask? Well, we get back to your ISP once again. Given that the ISP sees your IP address and online activities, it’s easy for it to see that you’re downloading torrents, too. Once that happens, it can report you to the copyright holder, who will then report you to the authorities for copyright violation.
This will spawn a number of legal issues that will only get you knee-deep in trouble. With a VPN, however, you can encrypt your connection and hide your IP address so that no one can see whether or not you’re downloading torrents.
That way, you can enjoy anonymous torrenting without any repercussions. Although, I’ll make it clear that we do NOT condone downloading copyrighted files from torrent sites, as this is illegal.
Unlimited Streaming
What about streaming? If you love Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Disney+, Sky Go, Hotstar, and other streaming services, a VPN will amplify your love for streaming. By changing your IP address to another country, you can unblock geo-restricted streaming services.
Windows users often use a VPN for Netflix. It allows you to access foreign catalogs and watch pretty much any show or movie you want. Furthermore, with access to dozens of countries, you can get a US IP address and access Disney+, Hulu, or HBO Max abroad.
Alternatively, with the best VPN for Windows, you can unblock UK TV channels or any other geo-blocked channel outside of its respective country.
Protecting Your Privacy on Public WiFi Hotspots
When talking about Windows, we usually associate this system with desktop machines. However, if you’re using a Lenovo, HP, or Asus laptop, you’re going to be enjoying Windows on the go. This means often connecting to public WiFi hotspots in restaurants, cafes, hotels, and motels.
These WiFi hotspots are all but safe, as they don’t pack additional encryption, and many times, they’re not password-protected. It’s, therefore, very easy for hackers to hijack the network and steal the data of users connected to it in the blink of an eye.
They can steal your PayPal login credentials, credit card info, social media data, and so much more simply by knowing your IP address. With a VPN, that IP will be concealed and replaced with the new one, on top of which, the traffic will be encrypted.
Even if a hacker intercepts your traffic, which will be impossible, it’ll be a garbled mess, so the hacker can’t read its content. As such, he can’t steal your data or damage you in any way, but other users without a VPN can suffer with no protection in place.
Avoiding ISP Throttling
ISP throttling is annoying and sucks all the fun out of the internet. ISPs, despite that, still use it to slow down your internet when performing bandwidth-hungry activities. If you often do torrent, streaming, or gaming, this problem has most likely knocked on your door more than a few times.
As said, issues like this can be remedied with our favorite Windows VPN apps. Once you hide your IP address, your ISP won’t be able to impose any throttling, leaving you to browse the web at full speed!
Lag-Free Gaming
Windows is, for many, the best operating system because of its gaming capabilities. While macOS is really powerful, its gaming capabilities are… well, awful! However, if you use a Windows PC, you can utilize our top VPNs for Windows to enhance your gaming experience.
Apart from avoiding bandwidth throttling, you can use it to protect yourself from DDoS or swatting attacks. Besides, a VPN lets you play on more distant gaming servers with reduced lags, which you otherwise won’t be able to do.
Not to mention that, by getting an IP from another country, you can buy cheaper games from Steam. For example, Russian or Argentinian IP will make Steam see one of these countries as your new location in which games are up to 50% cheaper than in the USA or the UK.
So, if you’re ready to enhance your gaming and save money in the process, getting the best Windows VPN will be a smart decision.
How to Use a VPN for Windows
Having a basic understanding of how Windows functions is enough to use a VPN for this platform. Still, if you’re not an experienced user, we are going to explain to you how to use the best VPN for PC in 2024.
1 – Getting a Subscription
Obviously, you first need to get a subscription from the provider you’ve chosen. Our recommended choice is NordVPN given its 73% discount and 3 months free that you can get for the biennial plan. For the record, we would like to point out that NordVPN is the best VPN in the USA at the moment.
All you need to do is choose the subscription plan, proceed to the payment, and your subscription will be in place.
By doing so, NordVPN will let you make a secure password, as well as the possibility to download the application for Windows from the same page. Click on it and the setup file will start downloading.
2 – Installing a VPN
When the download is complete, open the setup file, follow the steps, and install NordVPN effortlessly. If the VPN requires you to restart your PC, do so, after which, the app will be fully installed and ready to use.
Upon first opening, make sure you copy and paste the activation code into the sign-in menu in the app. When you do that, you’ll get a dashboard that looks like this:
3 – Connecting to a VPN Server
From here, all you need to do is connect to the VPN server of your choice. Click on More Connection Options, choose the location you want, and click on it.
After a few seconds, NordVPN will establish a connection to the VPN server in that country. The success of your connection is indicated by the green Connected message that now takes the upper-left corner of the app window.
Needless to say, you’ve now encrypted your connection, so you can go ahead and enjoy safe and secure browsing. This means you can revel in unlimited streaming, play games lag-free, and reap all the beautiful benefits of a superb provider like NordVPN!
Conclusion
With everything said, you now know what is the best VPN for PC in 2024. Our obvious recommendation is NordVPN, which is really affordable and represents a better value than all other choices on the list. This is our go-to option whenever we’re on a Windows PC.
One is sure and that is that ALL providers on the list offer impeccable security. This is our main criterion, hence, we made sure that your choice doesn’t impact the level of security and privacy you get.
Since we’re talking about premium choices, they’re also pretty fast and allow for streaming and torrenting, just in case you’re interested in any of these activities.
Now, depending on your needs and financial possibilities, choosing a VPN is much easier. If you want the absolute best performance, NordVPN is #1. On the flip side, if saving a bit of money is important to you, we recommend CyberGhost, which is a perfect affordable solution.
FAQ
Let’s finalize this discussion by answering some questions relevant to the topic.
Is a VPN for Windows worth it?
Absolutely. A VPN is a necessary tool for keeping your online activities private and staying secure online. Not only that, but it’s essential if you want to enjoy risk-free torrenting, unblock geo-restricted Netflix movies, or save money on online purchases.
After all, we’re not talking about an expensive investment. For as low as just under three bucks a month, you can get CyberGhost or Surfshark and enjoy some of the best VPNs you can find.
Can I use a VPN on Windows 11 as well?
Sure thing. The VPNs we presented work on a huge array of operating systems and devices. Even if you’re not a Windows user, you can use these VPNs on your Linux or macOS computers. Moreover, they also work on iOS, Android, Smart TV, Firestick TV, and routers.
When it comes to Windows support, Windows 7 and 8 users will also be able to use them, but not strictly Windows 10 and 11 users. So, if you just upgraded to the newest Windows 11, don’t fret – you can keep using your VPN subscription with no issues!
Can a VPN for Windows protect my phone?
Yes, of course. These top 5 VPNs for Windows work on a plethora of platforms, some of which include Android and iOS. Thanks to numerous simultaneous connections, you can install the service on your Windows PC and iOS/Android phone at the same time.
This way, you can enjoy all the aforementioned benefits even on your smartphone, which is why VPNs are so versatile and useful.
How to get a free VPN for Windows?
The best way of getting a free Windows VPN is through the money-back guarantee of the top 5 VPNs we presented.
You simply get a subscription, enjoy it without any limits, and before the money-back guarantee period expires, contact customer support, request a refund, and get your money back.
Using a really free VPN for Windows is not a good idea. Free VPNs are known for limiting your monthly bandwidth, giving you poor performance, and having no P2P or streaming support. Furthermore, they’re not secure, and in many cases, they WILL store logs that will violate your privacy.
Most notably, providers like Hola VPN and Betternet are known for selling your personal info to third parties. This is one of the worst things that could happen and that is why we avoid them at all costs.
So after all, using a premium provider for a few dollars a month is a much smarter choice, regardless of the platform we’re talking about.
