How To Choose The Best VPN For Windows
If youre new to VPNs, it can be overwhelming to understand all the technical jargon and make an informed decision. To make it easier for you to protect your Windows device, I made sure every VPN on this page offers the following key features:
- Dedicated Windows app for versions 7, 8 and 10
- Military-grade encryption
- Strict privacy policy that wont log, share, or sell your data
- Unblocks streaming platforms like Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and more
- Torrenting support for popular peer-to-peer clients like uTorrent and BitTorrent
- Fast speeds with unlimited bandwidth, so theres no lag or buffering
- 24/7 customer support with proven money-back guarantees
What’s The Fastest VPN
When a VPN is active, your web traffic is taking a more circuitous route than usual, often resulting in sluggish download and upload speeds as well as increased latency. The good news is that using a VPN probably isn’t going to remind you of the dial-up days of yore.
Most services provide perfectly adequate internet speed when in use, and they can even handle streaming HD video. However, 4K video and other data-intensive tasks like gaming over a VPN are another story.
When we test VPNs, we use the Ookla speed test tool. This test provides metrics for latency, download speeds, and upload speeds. Any one of these can be an important measurement depending on your needs, but we tend to view the download speed as the most important. After all, we live in an age of digital consumption.
To evaluate VPNs, we first run several speed tests without the VPN. Then, we compare that figure to speed tests taken with the VPN active and find a percent change. Our speed tests stress comparison and reproducibility. That means we stand by our work, but your individual results may vary. After all, perhaps you live on top of a VPN server, or just happen to have a super-high bandwidth connection. Please read our feature, conveniently named How We Test VPNs, if you want the full details.
More Great VPN Services
Are you not buying what ExpressVPN is selling? Check out these other excellent VPN services we recommend. You can also have a look at our roundup of the current best VPN deals if you’re looking to save some money.
Surfshark VPN
Surfshark puts no limit on how many devices can connect, making it a great VPN option for the whole family.
CyberGhost VPN
Tons of servers, rock-solid security, and affordable long-term plans make CyberGhost an excellent option for a lot of people.
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Which VPN Is Best For Windows
Quick Answer: Is Windows 10 Built In VPN Any Good
The Windows 10 VPN client is a great option for some people. Weve said many negative things about the Windows 10 built-in VPN client and for a good reason. For most users, its simply pointless. Its simpler to use, and youll have the full wealth of features that the VPN offers made available to you.
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The Best Windows 10 VPN For Pc In 2022
Getting a Windows VPN can help protect your PC
One of the great perks about being among the billion-plus global Windows users is the sheer amount of software available to you by default. And installing a VPN on your PC is a great way to stay safer online and make your computer even more useful.
Most people use a Windows VPN because it adds a layer of extra security – and anonymity – to your desktop or laptop. All of your online activity is encrypted when your VPN is turned on. But the ‘geo-spoofing’ technology that these services offer also mean they’re a great way to stream more diverse content and get around web restrictions imposed by your office, school or even your government.
Below, we’ve compiled a list of the best Windows 10 VPN services. Keep reading to find out the top clients to install on your laptop or desktop PC and boost your privacy.
Is There A Free VPN For Windows 10
VPN Shield is a free VPN app that provides security, speed, and a user-friendly interface. No sign up for the app required, and I also received no registration emails when I downloaded it completely free from the Windows app store. The free Hotspot Shield plan includes 500MB of data each day, on an active basis.
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Does Windows 10 Have A Built In VPN
Many people dont know that Windows 10 has its own built-in VPN client. But before you rush to cancel your current VPN subscription, its worth taking a closer look at what the Windows option is capable of.
The most important thing to know about the built-in Windows option is that its not really a VPN service – or at least not the kind we’ve become accustomed to from third party providers. Windows doesnt give you access to a secure server network, which is what you pay for when using a VPN service. Instead, the built-in tool is just a desktop client for connecting to a third-party network and it can’t hep you with all the other use cases that we’ve described above and has limited features.
What’s more, it’s rather complicated to get set up and requires a deep dive into your network settings and probably even some tinkering with your router. In contrast, the VPNs listed above can get you protected within seconds, are supremely easy to use and only cost a few dollars a month.
How To Install And Set Up A VPN For Windows
Each and every one of the VPNs we’ve mentioned in this guide have custom VPN apps for Windows 10. This makes setup simple so simple, in fact, that you’ll just need to:
That’s all there is to it!
There is no real reason to experiment with the settings of your VPN, unless you really want to. All services in our list run OpenVPN as standard, which is the gold standard of VPN encryption for PCs. However, if you want to test some other types of VPN encryption, we cover some alternatives below.
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VPN For Windows Your Ultimate Security Solution
No speed caps means unlimited bandwidth and traffic for your web browsing. Access any content with blazing speed.
Securely access the web from 50 locations. We constantly optimize our servers for the highest speed possible and ensure their 24/7 stability.
Always use VeePN for safe browsing via public Wi-Fi. Our military grade encryption protects all your private data.
Can You Trust Your VPN Service
If you’re using a service to route all your internet traffic through its servers, you have to be able to trust that service. It’s easier to trust companies that have been around longer, simply because their reputation is likely to be known. The trouble is that the VPN industry is very young, and some VPN companies have been playing dirty. In this environment, figuring out who to trust is very difficult.
At PCMag, we give special attention to the privacy practices of VPN companies and not just the technology they provide. In our testing, we read through the privacy policies and discuss company practices with VPN company representatives. We look for a commitment to protecting user information, and practices that gather and retain as little user information as possible.
As part of our research, we also make sure to find out where the company is based and under what legal framework it operates. Some countries don’t have data-retention laws, making it easier to keep a promise of “We don’t keep any logs.” It’s also useful to know under what circumstances a VPN company will hand over information to law enforcement and what information it would have to provide if that should happen.
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Is Microsoft VPN Good
When you launch most versions of Microsoft Windows or Windows Server, the Microsoft VPN Client for Windows will be part of the operating system. This is an excellent solution, but there are a few things to be careful of in comparison to third-party solutions, such as flexibility and multi-client support.
Doesn’t Windows 10 Come With A VPN
Yes, and no. Windows 10 includes a VPN client. But to run your data through the internet, you need an endpoint. If you’re connecting to your corporate VPN server, then you can use Windows’ built-in client. But if you want to connect elsewhere, you still need one of the services we’ve profiled. Plus, the base client is pretty barebones. If you want more advanced features, you’ll want to use one of the more premium clients included with the services we’re spotlighting.
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Is VPN Safe For Laptops
Yes. It’s safe to use a VPN on your laptop – but only if you download a reputable VPN application. For example, you should avoid free VPNs like the plague, as they have a high chance of stealing your personal information. I recommend choosing a VPN featured in our article, as its guaranteed to take your privacy seriously.
The Best VPN Services For 2022
A VPN, or virtual private network, is an easy way to improve your online privacy. We’ve reviewed scores of them, and these are the best VPN services we’ve tested.
Pros
- Multihop, split-tunneling, and Tor connections
- Numerous server locations
Pros
- Rarely seen multi-hop and split tunneling tools
- Well-designed app
- Static Servers included with subscription
Cons
Pros
Pros
Pros
- Allows up to seven simultaneous connections
- Several add-ons, including antivirus
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Which VPN Is Best For Pc
Best For Privacy Hawks On A Budget
Pros
- Privacy baked into its account system
- Strong stance on transparency
Pros
- Requires no email or account information
- Extremely affordable
- Some advanced features, like multihop connections
Cons
- Servers in a small range of countries
- Account number system may confuse some customers
Pros
- Powered by privacy hawk Mullvad
- Simple, snazzy design
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Can You Run Multiple VPNs At The Same Time On Windows 10
Generally speaking, no, you cannot run more than one VPN at a time on Windows 10. Most VPN clients will conflict with one another.
It might be possible to set up split tunneling so that some applications use one VPN and other applications use another VPN.
Another option would be to combine a VPN app for Windows, a VPN plugin or extension for your web browser, and/or a VPN on your wi-fi router.
Stacking VPNs could have a serious impact on performance and speed. If youre using two VPNs simultaneously, for example, your data will have to be encrypted and decrypted twice over, and it will have to travel through both VPN servers to reach its destination.
Which VPN Is Best For Windows 10
The best Windows 10 VPN for PC in 2021:
- ExpressVPN. Best all-round VPN for PC bar none.
- NordVPN. Windows security is the focus for NordVPN.
- Surfshark. An excellent PC VPN on the cheap.
- Hotspot Shield. The choice to consider when you just want the fastest speeds.
- IPVanish. A really nicely designed VPN for Windows PCs.
19 . 2021 .
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Are Free VPNs Safe
Well, the short answer is no. All businesses need to make money. If youre not paying for a service, the company needs to find other ways to make a profit.
Many free VPN providers have been caught selling their users data to third parties, despite promising top-notch security. Others have been found to install malware and place trackers on your device.
Not all free VPN providers have malicious intentions, but either way, the service will usually be very limited. A free plan will give you a small amount of data transfer or access to a limited number of servers, so there isn’t really much you can do with them. Some of them will display constant ads, which can get really annoying really fast.
Because of all these drawbacks, I recommend using a tried-and-tested, premium VPN. All of the VPNs on my list have money-back guarantees, so you can use them first before you commit long-term. For example, ExpressVPNs money-back guarantee gives you up to 30 days to explore its features you can ask for a refund and get your money back if its not for you.
Can I Use VPNs On Windows 11
There’s no reason to think anything other than the fact VPNs will work just as well with Windows 11 as they did on Windows 10. That said, you should be aware that all of our VPN testing was carried out on a Windows 10 experience.
We’re hoping that Windows 11 will have a better self-contained VPN facility and we’ll report back in that when Windows 11 is out of its infancy.
It is worth noting though that one of the biggest VPNs in the game – NordVPN – has had some teething issues with people beta testing Windows 11. So ensuring compatibility with the updated OS will be key for VPN companies as more and more users upgrade.
Read more:
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Nordvpn The Best VPN For Windows
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Of all the best VPNs for Windows, NordVPN has the most intuitive Windows application. For one, it actually has a map that lets you pick a server location much easier .
Secondly, the app crams a lot of cutting-edge features like invisibility on LAN, highly customizable split tunneling, and CyberSec .
When it comes to tunneling protocols, the Windows application of NordVPN lets you choose between OpenVPN and NordLynx , while IKEv2/IPsec is available only with manual setup. Thanks to NordLynx, you can enjoy blazing-fast speeds, as well as an enhanced level of privacy compared to regular WireGuard.
Movie buffs will also love NordVPN because the service flawlessly unblocks a huge chunk of the most popular streaming platforms. These include Netflix, Hulu, HBO, and Amazon Prime Video. And lets not forget NordVPNs SmartPlay technology that lets you watch geo-blocked movies on Smart TVs, gaming consoles, and other devices.
Once you subscribe to the service, you immediately get 6 simultaneous connections, which means that you can cover all your devices . Theres also a 30-day money-back guarantee for those who need a little time to make up their mind about NordVPN.
To find out more, check out our full NordVPN review.
If youre addicted to Youtube , youve definitely heard about Surfshark VPN. And yes, Surfshark definitely deserves all the praise its currently getting.
To find out more, check out our full Surfshark VPN review.
Is Windows 10 VPN Any Good
The Windows 10 VPN is a good option if you want to connect to the workplace through an encrypted VPN.
You can also get the connection details from commercial VPN services and connect through the Windows 10 VPN instead of installing a native app.
But its harder to change VPN server locations when using the Windows 10 integrated VPN.
On top of that, you cant take advantage of advanced features like port forwarding or split tunneling.
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Best VPN For Windows Pc 2021
If you’re going to use a VPN, you’re most likely going to do so away from your home and office. Sure, if you’re in a dorm or your have roommates , you might use a VPN at your home base. But most often, you’re going to use a VPN because you’re in an airport, at a hotel, in a school, at a coffee shop, and you don’t want your data running over a public Wi-Fi hotspot that could be corrupted in any of a thousand different ways.
And, if you’re using a VPN away from home base, you’re probably going to do so with a laptop. Yes, you might put a VPN on your phone or tablet, but if you’re doing real work, you’re almost undoubtedly doing it on a laptop. And if you’re using a laptop, you’re more likely than not running Windows. Yes, Chromebooks and Mac laptops are also prevalent, but PC’s are still the clear winner.
In that context, we’re aggregating some of the best VPNs for Windows in this article. Not only have these all been put to the test in various reviews, but we also have aggregate benchmark data that we’re applying to our recommendations. Below, we recommend four VPNs and let you know how they fared in Windows performance testing against each other.
- Platforms: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, Android TV, Chrome, Firefox
- Logging: None, except billing data
- Countries: 59
- Servers: 5517
- Trial/MBG: 30 day
Also: How does NordVPN work? Plus how to set it up and use it on Windows
Also: My in-depth review of NordVPN
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Also: My in-depth review of IPVanish