best vpns for windows

One of the most used operating systems, Windows is also one of the most highly targeted. As this OS is vulnerable to attacks, it is important to make sure you protect your privacy. The best way to stay secure is by using a VPN. A VPN will help you stay anonymous and it will protect your online activities. In addition to encrypting your traffic, a VPN will help you bypass geo-blocked websites and streaming services like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, etc. It will also hide your data from all snoopers including your ISP and the government, as well.

When you search online for a VPN compatible with Windows, you will definitely come across several VPN services which will make it difficult for you to choose one. Remember, only a few VPN services that promise to offer a Windows client work really well and not all those VPN services work as they promise to work. That’s why we have come up with a list of VPNs that work really well with Windows. We tested different VPN services and have come up with the following five recommendations. These VPN services listed below offer strong security, are good at unblocking geo-blocked services, and offer fast speeds. We’re sure the VPNs we recommend have a Windows client that is compatible with Windows, 7, 8 and 10.

NordVPN

NordVPN ranks first and we would say it is the best VPN for Windows. NordVPN follows a strict no-log policy and there are several other reasons why we claim NordVPN to be the best. It offers strong security and uses AES-256-bit encryption to offer you strong privacy and security. Double VPN is one of NordVPN’s unique features that will pass your internet traffic through two different VPN servers so that you can achieve the utmost security. Its kill switch feature will come to your rescue if the VPN connection drops.

NordVPN’s Windows client is easy to use and you need not be an advanced VPN user and it is great for beginners, as well. Torrenting will be a breeze with NordVPN’s P2P friendly servers. It offers unlimited bandwidth and with a single NordVPN subscription, you can connect up to 6 devices be it a laptop, smartphone, tablet or PC. NordVPN has apps for Windows 7, 8, 10, iOS, macOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, and Firefox.

Though NordVPN does not offer a free trial, there is a money-back guarantee. You can use NordVPN for 30 days and if at all you don’t find it helpful, you can cancel the service and get a 100% refund. Click here to read our full NordVPN review.

nordvpn-rectangle
  • 5200+ servers in 62 countries
  • Use up to 6 devices
  • Next-generation Encryption
  • Double VPN Feature
  • Strict no-logs policy

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is one of our top choices for Windows. One of the fastest and best VPN services, ExpressVPN offers strong security and fast speeds. You can forget about geo-restrictions as ExpressVPN has a strong track record of unblocking all popular streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Sling TV, Amazon Prime Video, etc.

ExpressVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands which is outside the 14 eyes surveillance group. It has over 3,000 servers in 94 countries and all its servers are P2P friendly. It has a user-friendly interface, supports multiple protocols and comes with a kill switch, as well. It also comes with the split tunneling feature that will come handy when you wish to restrict the VPN connection to a specific browser or application. These are a few strong reasons why you can consider ExpressVPN for Windows.

expressvpn logo
  • 160 server locations
  • Network Lock kill switch
  • Zero-knowledge DNS
  • VPN split tunneling
  • Stream Sports online

ExpressVPN’s Windows client makes it easy to use by letting users switch servers without disconnecting the current VPN connection. The main window displays the list of recent servers so that you need not search for the last server to which you connected and can easily find it from the recent server list.

ExpressVPN offers strong encryption and it does not log any user data which includes browsing history, IP address, etc. There is no free trial but there is a 30-day money-back guarantee. During the 30 day period, you can actually try the service and get your money back if you are not satisfied. ExpressVPN has apps for Windows, Android, Linux, iOS, macOS, Chromebook, and WiFi routers. Check out our extensive ExpressVPN review.

PureVPN

Hong Kong-based PureVPN is well known for its speed and performance. It has over 2000 servers in more than 180 locations across the globe. PureVPN is one of the very few VPN services that manage its servers. This is one reason why we recommend PureVPN for Windows. As there is no third-party involved, we are sure PureVPN’s servers will offer encrypted protection for your data.

PureVPN keeps no logs and supports L2TP/IPSec, SSTP, PPTP, OpenVPN, and IKEv2 protocols. You can simultaneously use the VPN on five different devices including your Windows device. PureVPN apps are available for Windows, iOS, Android, Mac, Chrome, Firefox, Kodi, Android TV, Linux, and routers.

You can torrent anonymously using one of PureVPN’s torrent-friendly servers without compromising on your speed and privacy. There is also a 31-day money-back guarantee so that you can try PureVPN risk-free and stress-free. Take a look at our full review of PureVPN.

purevpn logo
  • 6500+ Secure Servers
  • 3 Million+ Satisfied Users
  • 10-Multi Logins
  • One-click Software
  • 31-Day Refund Policy
  • 24/7 Customer Support

Surfshark VPN

SurfShark VPN is great for offices and households as it can protect an unlimited number of devices, which means there is no limit on the number of devices that can simultaneously be connected. It offers strong encryption strength and does not store any data.

It has a kill switch that will help you stay secure when the VPN connection drops as it will temporarily disconnect the internet. Surfshark has a relatively smaller server network of over 1040 servers in 60+ countries. Though the number of servers it has is fewer, it is great at unblocking region-blocked streaming services like Netflix, HBO GO, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer. Surfshark VPN has apps for Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, Linux and more.

Surfshark VPN comes with the Camouflage mode so that even your ISP will not be able to make out that you are using a VPN. This way you can also bypass bandwidth throttling. You can also stay away from malware, trackers, and also block ads with Surfshark VPN’s CleanWeb technology.

Surfshark VPN offers a 30-day trial period for you to try the service. You can get a full refund if you are dissatisfied with it and if you cancel your subscription before the end of the 30-day window. Take a look at our full Surfshark VPN review to know more.

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  • Connect unlimited Devices
  • AES-256-GCM encryption
  • IP & DNS leak protection
  • Unlimited bandwidth
  • Free Browser Extensions
  • Strict no-logs policy

Why is a VPN Important for Windows?

If you are one among the people who think a VPN is not needed for your PC, you will need to understand that a VPN is essential to keep your data secure. Without a VPN, hackers can easily snoop on your network’s traffic and you will be vulnerable to cybersecurity threats. The best way to stay away from hackers, cybersecurity threats and also from government censorship, is to use a VPN. To secure your Windows PC or your laptop, you will need to download the Windows client.

How Will a VPN Help?

Any data you send or receive will be encrypted by the VPN. No one can see what data passes through the encrypted connection. Even your ISP will not be able to track your online activities. When you use a VPN, you can download movies and torrent anonymously as no one will know what you have downloaded. A VPN will keep your IP hidden from other peers so that you can safely torrent files.

Not only will the VPN hide your browsing activities from your ISP and the government but will also hide your real IP address from the websites you visit. The websites you visit will only see the IP address the VPN assigned and they will think you are browsing from that location.

Certain websites are available only in certain locations. When you want to access a website that is not accessible in your location you can choose a VPN server in the country where it is available and access the website.

Features to Look for in a VPN for Windows

  • Encryption – It is important to go for a VPN that offers AES-256 encryption to ensure strong security online. 256-bit encryption is the current encryption standard for VPNs and all VPNs we suggested above use strong 256-bit encryption.
  • Logging policy – Look for a VPN service that follows a strict no-log policy. Some claim to be zero-log VPN providers but they may still keep track of certain data.
  • Location of the VPN service provider – Location matters as the VPN service is obliged to follow the rules of the country in which they are based. Many countries do not have VPN friendly laws. Avoid such VPN and the VPNs based in countries that belong to the 14 eyes alliance.
  • Speed – You might want a speedy VPN if you want a VPN to stream movies and TV shows. VPNs could slow down your connection as your traffic will pass through a different server but the speed loss should not be noticeable.
  • Server network – Go for a VPN with a bigger server network so that switching servers will be a breeze. Likewise, if the VPN service has servers across the globe, you can access geo-blocked services from anywhere in the world.

Few other things you can look for include, P2P support, bandwidth limit, number of simultaneous connections and the pricing plans. Also, make sure the VPN service you choose supports the OpenVPN protocol as it is the best protocol for Windows. It is secure and fast, as well. All the VPNs we have listed above support the OpenVPN protocol and offer the above-listed features.

Is There a Free VPN for Windows?

Not all free VPNs are trustworthy as most of them are well-known for stealing user data. Many VPN apps are found to contain malware. It is not practically possible to run a VPN for free as hosting VPN server networks and developing apps will cost a lot of money. VPNs that claim to be free also have to spend money on servers and their apps. Many such free VPNs sell their user data and make money with which they run the VPN service.

But there are certain VPN services that offer free as well as premium plans. Such VPNs are trustworthy as they do not claim to be completely free. But the free versions come with restrictions, for example, the bandwidth will be limited and you will be allowed to use only certain servers and cannot access all the servers.

However, you can try the VPN for free and then think about the premium plans if you are satisfied or use it for free when in an emergency. Check out this article on “Top Free Windows 10 VPNs to Use in 2020” for the list of best free VPNs for Windows. All the VPNs listed there have paid as well as free VPN plans. They offer free plans so that users can test their service and they can upgrade to a premium plan. This way, you can figure out which VPN is the best VPN for Windows.

Let’s Compare Some of the Best VPNs for Windows

Main Features NordVPN ExpressVPN Windscribe PUREVPN
Company
Rating-OnRating-OnRating-OnRating-OnRating-On
Rating-OnRating-OnRating-OnRating-OnRating-On
Rating-OnRating-OnRating-OnRating-OnRating-Off
Rating-OnRating-OnRating-OnRating-OnRating-half
$3.30/mo $8.32/mo $4.08/mo $0.99/mo
60 94+ 60+ 140+
Unlimited Unlimited 10GB/Unlimited Unlimited
5600+ 3000+ Multiple 2,000+
6 5 Unlimited 5
Good Good Moderately Good Good
ThumbsUp ThumbsUp ThumbsUp ThumbsUp
Double VPN - VPN cascading Inverse Split Tunneling Windflix VPN Hotspot
256-bit AES 256-bit AES 256-bit AES 256-bit AES
ThumbsUp ThumbsUp ThumbsUp ThumbsUp
ThumbsDown ThumbsDown 5 Eyes ThumbsDown
ThumbsDown ThumbsDown ThumbsUp ThumbsDown
ThumbsDown ThumbsDown ThumbsDown ThumbsDown
ThumbsDown ThumbsDown ThumbsDown ThumbsDown
Panama British Virgin Islands Canada Hong Kong
ThumbsUp ThumbsUp ThumbsUp ThumbsUp
ThumbsUp ThumbsUp ThumbsUp ThumbsUp
ThumbsUp ThumbsUp ThumbsUp ThumbsUp
ThumbsUp ThumbsUp ThumbsUp ThumbsUp
ThumbsUp ThumbsUp ThumbsUp ThumbsUp
ThumbsUp ThumbsDown ThumbsDown ThumbsUp
ThumbsUp ThumbsUp ThumbsDown ThumbsUp
Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux Ubuntu Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux Ubuntu, Linux Fedora Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux Ubuntu, Linux Fedora Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux Ubuntu, Linux Fedora
Chromebook Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Apple TV Chromebook Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Apple TV, Chromebook
DD-WRT, Tomato DD-WRT, Tomato DD-WRT, Tomato DD-WRT, Tomato
$11.95/mo $12.95/mo $9/mo $10.95/mo
N/A N/A N/A N/A
N/A $9.99/mo N/A N/A
$4.92/mo ($59.00) $8.32/mo ($99.95) $4.08/mo ($49) $0.99/mo
30 Days ThumbsDown Unlimited 7 days
ThumbsDown ThumbsDown ThumbsUp ThumbsDown
30 days 30 days 30 Days 31 days
Visa, PayPal, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Bitcoins Visa, PayPal, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Bitcoins Visa, PayPal, Mastercard, American Express, Bitcoins Visa, PayPal, Mastercard, American Express, Wire Transfer, Discover, Payza, Bitcoins
24/7 Live Chat, Email, Twitter, Facebook, Community Email, Twitter, Facebook, Community, On Call, Remote Desktop Email, Twitter, Facebook 24/7 Live Chat, Email, Twitter, Facebook, Community, Remote Desktop

Conclusion

VPNs are mandatory to stay secure online, with Windows being vulnerable to security threats. VPNs will help you secure your data even when you are connected to a public WiFi network. We hope this article helps you choose the right VPN for Windows.