Updated on: April 24, 2024
Short on time? Here’s the best VPN for Windows in 2024:
- 🥇 ExpressVPN: Easy-to-use Windows app that has excellent security features (and that’s also been independently audited). Also provides blazing-fast internet speeds, excellent streaming and P2P support, and useful extras like split-tunneling. ExpressVPN has flexible payment plans and backs each purchase with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
I tested the top VPNs to find the best ones for Windows, but it wasn’t easy. A lot of VPNs either don’t have Windows apps or require you to perform a manual setup on your Windows device. And out of the ones that have Windows apps, many are buggy or are hard to use, lack essential security features, don’t work with Netflix and other major streaming sites, or have slow speeds.
But the VPNs that made it to this list are the best of the best. They don’t only have user-friendly Windows apps, but they also come with high-level security and privacy features, and have great speeds, even when streaming movies in HD — ExpressVPN is my #1 pick due to its very intuitive and feature-rich Windows app.
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Quick summary of the best VPNs for Windows:
- 1.🥇 ExpressVPN — Best overall VPN for Windows users in 2024 with the fastest speeds & useful extras.
- 2.🥈 Private Internet Access — Customizable Windows app with strong security features and excellent P2P support.
- 3.🥉 CyberGhost VPN — User-friendly Windows app with good automation and great streaming support.
- 4. NordVPN — Well-designed Windows app with great privacy and advanced security tools.
- 5. Surfshark — Easy-to-use Windows app with good security and affordable plans.
- Plus 3 more!
🥇 1. ExpressVPN — Best VPN for Windows in 2024
ExpressVPN has the best Windows app in 2024 — it has industry-leading security and privacy features, comes with tons of useful features, and is extremely simple to use.
The app comes with the following high-end security features:
- Lightway — This is the provider’s proprietary protocol, which is designed to provide excellent security and very fast speeds. It’s also open-source, which means anyone can inspect the code for issues.
- Full leak protection — The Windows app provides built-in protection against IPv6, DNS, and WebRTC leaks. I ran leak tests on servers in 10+ countries, and I never experienced any leaks.
- RAM-only servers — All of the provider’s servers run on RAM, meaning every server reset wipes all data.
- Perfect forward secrecy — This security feature changes the encryption key for each VPN session to prevent hackers from using compromised past or future keys to spy on your traffic.
I also really like how ExpressVPN’s Windows app underwent several security audits — only minor issues were found, which were quickly fixed. Plus, the provider’s no-logs policy has been independently audited several times, and it has also been proven true in a server seizure.
It’s also great that the provider’s Windows app has split-tunneling, which lets you choose which apps use the VPN connection, and which apps use your local internet connection. I tested this feature by only routing traffic from Steam through the VPN, and this increased my gaming speeds by about 10%.
I’m also a big fan of the Shortcuts feature, which lets you create 1-click shortcuts for specific apps and sites that show up on your screen after you connect to a server — I always use it to get instant access to Netflix and my bank’s site after I connect to ExpressVPN. Plus, the provider’s Windows app is also very intuitive and has a quick-connect feature that automatically connects you to the fastest server.
ExpressVPN provided me with the fastest speeds on this list, which is not surprising considering this is the fastest VPN on the market — all sites loaded instantly, HD and 4K videos loaded instantly and didn’t buffer, and I downloaded a 20 GB file in only 10 minutes.
You also get other excellent perks with this provider — it’s the best VPN for streaming in 2024, it comes with servers in 105 countries, and it’s also the best P2P VPN out there, as it allows torrenting on all of its servers.
ExpressVPN comes with several paid plans that start at $6.67 / month — it’s one of the more expensive Windows VPNs on the market, but it’s worth it since it provides excellent value. It also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee for all plans.
Bottom Line:
ExpressVPN is my favorite Windows VPN on the market — it includes excellent security and privacy, has useful features, and is very easy to use. The Windows app has been independently audited, and it also comes with advanced security features like full leak protection and perfect forward secrecy. You also get useful extras like split-tunneling and 1-click shortcuts. ExpressVPN has the fastest speeds out there, excellent streaming and P2P support, and a 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans.
Read the full ExpressVPN review >
🥈 2. Private Internet Access (PIA) — Customizable Windows App + Excellent P2P Support
Private Internet Access (PIA) has a highly customizable Windows app that’s very easy to use — you can easily change tons of settings, including the encryption level, the kill switch type, and which ports you use. And it’s really great how all the features and VPN settings are spread across different tabs, so that you always know where to find what you need.
Plus, the Windows app has helpful explanations for all settings. Also, I like the app’s Wi-Fi automation rules, which are really convenient — for example, you can make the VPN app automatically connect to a server when you connect to unsecured Wi-Fi networks. What’s more, PIA allows unlimited connections, so you can use it on as many Windows devices as you want.
PIA is also one of the best torrenting VPNs on the market. It allows P2P traffic across all of its servers and works with top P2P apps like uTorrent, qBittorrent, and Vuze. It also comes with port forwarding, which lets you connect to more peers for faster speeds — in my tests, this increased my download speeds by about 15%. I also like how port forwarding is very simple to use, as you only need to enable it inside the Windows app. And it has SOCKS5 support, which changes your IP address but doesn’t encrypt your traffic, so you get much faster download speeds.
In addition, I really like how the provider’s Windows app is open-source, as this provides excellent transparency. The VPN’s no-logs policy has also been independently audited and proven true in court documents. All of this makes it very easy to trust Private Internet Access.
Also, the Windows app comes with PIA MACE, the best VPN ad blocker on the market — I tested the feature, and it got rid of all ads on different web pages, which made them load faster, and also prevented me from visiting shady sites. And you also get access to split-tunneling and advanced security features like full leak protection, RAM-only servers, and perfect forward secrecy.
In my speed tests, PIA performed really well, but it wasn’t as fast as ExpressVPN — all sites loaded instantly, HD and 4K videos loaded instantly, and it took me 15 minutes to download a 20 GB file (the same file took 5 minutes less to download with ExpressVPN).
Private Internet Access offers plans that start at $2.03 / month — they’re very affordable and provide great value, as you also get excellent streaming support, servers in 91 countries, and more. The VPN covers each purchase with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
Private Internet Access has a very intuitive and highly customizable Windows app that provides you with many ways to tweak your VPN connection. You also get unlimited connections, really good P2P support, access to strong privacy since the Windows app is open-source, and great security via an excellent ad blocker. PIA also has fast speeds, excellent streaming support, very affordable plans, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full Private Internet Access review
🥉 3. CyberGhost VPN — Great Automation & Streaming on Windows
CyberGhost VPN has a very user-friendly Windows app that comes with automation options. The app is simple to navigate, has a quick-connect feature, and comes with Smart Rules, which allow you to personalize your VPN connection — for example, you can set the VPN app to automatically launch and connect you to a specific VPN server when you open a certain app.
I also like how you get access to 100+ dedicated streaming servers in 20+ countries. These servers are optimized to work with 50+ streaming services, such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, DAZN, Rai Play, and more, so chances are you can find a nearby server that’s specifically tailored for your favorite local streaming service.
And it also has dedicated gaming servers that are optimized to provide low ping and stable connections in online games. I tested CyberGhost’s gaming servers by playing a couple of Dota 2 games and I was impressed that I never experienced any lag or slowdowns.
The provider’s Windows app also provides strong security — it comes with Privacy Guard, which lets you protect your privacy against Windows’s intrusive functionalities (like disabling Bluetooth ads or the advertising ID). Also, there’s Content Blocker, which keeps you safe from shady websites. That said, I think it’s a shame that CyberGhost VPN’s Windows app hasn’t been audited like ExpressVPN’s Windows app, or open-sourced like Private Internet Access’s Windows app. Unfortunately, there’s no split-tunneling.
The VPN also performed really well in my speed tests. All the sites I visited loaded instantly, HD videos loaded instantly and I didn’t experience any buffering, 4K videos took just 2 seconds to load and there were no quality drops, and my VoIP calls never froze.
CyberGhost VPN offers plans that start at only $2.03 / month. It backs the longest plans with a 45-day money-back guarantee, and the shortest plan with a 14-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
CyberGhost VPN’s Windows app provides convenient automation settings. You also get access to dedicated streaming servers that are optimized to consistently work with tons of streaming services, and gaming servers that provide low ping. Plus, the app protects you from intrusive Windows functionalities and malicious sites. CyberGhost VPN has affordable pricing and the long-term plans are backed by a 45-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full CyberGhost VPN review
4. NordVPN — Good Windows App With Very Strong Security Features
NordVPN has a well-designed Windows app that comes with strong security features. It uses RAM-only servers and perfect forward secrecy, has full leak protection and an independently audited no-logs policy, and comes with extras like Dark Web Monitor, which alerts you if the credentials linked to your NordVPN account have been compromised.
It also has Threat Protection, which blocks ads, trackers, and malicious sites. In my tests, it performed really well but Private Internet Access’s MACE blocked more ads. On the plus side, I really like how Threat Protection can also protect you from malware-infected files, and how you don’t need to be connected to a VPN server for the feature to be active.
NordVPN is also pretty fast. In my tests, sites and HD videos loaded instantly and there was no buffering, and 4K videos loaded in less than 4 seconds, which is great.
NordVPN is great for streaming and torrenting. I was able to connect to a nearby server and log into my Amazon Prime, Netflix, Disney+, and Max accounts without any issues. And it also allows P2P traffic on 4,500+ servers in 45+ countries and has SOCKS5 proxy support — still, I prefer ExpressVPN since it allows torrenting on all servers.
NordVPN’s Windows app is very easy to use. The app has a convenient quick-connect feature, an auto-connect option that connects you to a VPN server so you don’t accidentally go online without protection, and a digital map that makes it super simple to connect to server locations.
NordVPN’s plans start from $3.09 / month and are covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
NordVPN has a really secure Windows app, which comes with high-end features like full leak protection, an ad and malware blocker, a data breach monitoring tool, and more. It also provides fast speeds, good streaming and P2P support, and a user-friendly design. All plans are covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
5. Surfshark — Beginner-Friendly Windows App & Affordable Plans
Surfshark’s user-friendly Windows app is great for beginners. The app categorizes all server locations alphabetically, puts the servers you marked as Favorites at the top of the list for quick access, and lists the last servers you connected to, which is really handy if you only stick to a couple of locations. Plus, I really like how the VPN also supports unlimited simultaneous connections.
The provider also has some of the cheapest plans on the market, so it’s a pretty good pick if you’re looking for a great Windows VPN and are also on a tight budget.
Surfshark has really good security features, including perfect forward secrecy, an audited no-logs policy, RAM-only servers, and a pretty good ad blocker called CleanWeb. Unfortunately, Surfshark only offers protection against DNS leaks, unlike ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access, which also protect you against WebRTC and IPv6 leaks. But I like its IP Rotator feature that frequently changes your IP address without disconnecting you from the VPN.
You also get good streaming and torrenting support. Surfshark works with sites like Netflix and Amazon Prime (but not Disney+), and it allows P2P traffic on all of its servers.
Surfshark’s speeds were decent in my tests. Sites and videos took 3–4 seconds to load and I only experienced minimal buffering. That said, I still had faster speeds with ExpressVPN, Private Internet Access, and CyberGhost VPN.
Surfshark’s plans start as low as $2.29 / month, and there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee for all purchases.
Bottom Line:
Surfshark is a great beginner-friendly VPN for Windows users. It allows unlimited connections and comes with top security features like RAM-only servers, perfect forward secrecy, and a decent ad blocker. It also has great torrenting and streaming support, good speeds, and backs all plans with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full Surfshark review
6. PrivateVPN — Easy-To-Use Windows VPN With Good Security
PrivateVPN has a very user-friendly Windows app with 2 different viewing modes — Simple View and Advanced View. The Simple View is great if you want to quickly connect to a server and forget about the VPN app, as it only displays the connect button and provides quick access to the server list to manually connect to a server. On the other hand, the Advanced View lets you quickly change different settings, so it’s great to use if you need to tweak your VPN connection before you connect to a server.
I also like how PrivateVPN’s Windows app tells you what all features and settings do — you never feel lost while using it. It’s also great that it displays the server ping (how long it takes for your device to communicate with a server), which helps you find the fastest servers.
In addition, you also get strong security via PrivateVPN’s Windows app, as it comes with Stealth VPN (provides obfuscation to hide your VPN traffic), perfect forward secrecy, and Application Guard, which shuts down selected apps if the VPN disconnects. The Windows app also comes with IPv6 and DNS leak protection, but it’s a shame it’s missing WebRTC leak protection, which all of my previous picks include.
PrivateVPN has flexible payment options, which start at $2.00 / month. All of PrivateVPN’s payment plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
PrivateVPN has a very simple Windows app and good security features. It has a Simple View that’s ideal for beginners looking for a minimalistic VPN and an Advanced View that provides access to all of PrivateVPN’s features and functions. PrivateVPN also provides strong security features, including an app-based kill switch and obfuscation. All of its payment plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full PrivateVPN review
7. Proton VPN — Best Free VPN for Windows
Proton VPN is a great pick if you want a free VPN for Windows. It’s actually one of the best free VPNs in 2024 — that’s because this is one of the only VPNs that allows unlimited data on its free plan, so it’s really good for secure web browsing.
In addition, Proton VPN’s free plan provides strong privacy and security. For starters, its Windows app is open-source, and I really like that it has also been independently audited. What’s more, the provider’s no-logs policy has also passed an independent security audit. The free plan also comes with full leak protection, perfect forward secrecy, and the servers have full-disk encryption.
However, the free plan does have limitations. Although I like that it includes the VPN Accelerator feature that improves your speeds on distant servers, you only get access to 100+ servers in the US, the Netherlands, and Japan, you can only connect 1 device, and you don’t get streaming and P2P support.
Upgrading to the paid version gives you access to all features, including 4692 servers in 91 countries and support for streaming sites like Netflix and Disney+. You also get P2P servers in 15+ countries and port forwarding — that’s good, but I like ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access more because they allow P2P traffic across all of their servers.
Proton VPN’s paid plans start at $4.99 / month, so they’re really affordable. Also, each purchase is backed by a prorated 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
Proton VPN has the best free plan for Windows users, as it comes with unlimited data. It also provides strong privacy and security via an open-source and audited Windows app, plus advanced features like full leak protection and perfect forward secrecy. The paid plans add more servers, plus streaming and P2P support. All plans are backed by a prorated 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full Proton VPN review
8. TunnelBear — Intuitive & Fun Windows VPN App
TunnelBear’s Windows app is really easy and fun to use. The design is intuitive, there’s a quick-connect feature, and you can also use a digital map to connect to servers — and when you do, a cute digital bear starts digging a tunnel to the VPN server’s location! What’s more, the provider allows unlimited connections, so it’s a great pick if everyone in your house needs a Windows VPN.
I also like how TunnelBear’s Windows app undergoes regular security audits — plus, the VPN comes with full leak protection and obfuscation, though I prefer ExpressVPN for bypassing censorship in restrictive countries. It also lets you split-tunnel sites like Private Internet Access.
There’s a free plan, but it’s not as good as Proton VPN’s free plan — it limits you to 2 GB per month, which is only enough for 3–4 hours of web browsing, so you should only use the free plan to test the provider’s Windows app.
TunnelBear’s paid plans start at $3.33 / month, so they’re pretty affordable. Unfortunately, there’s no money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
TunnelBear’s Windows app is very simple to use, and it’s also entertaining because it features cute, animated bears! TunnelBear also comes with support for unlimited connections and good security and privacy features. It has affordable paid plans, but it lacks a money-back guarantee.
Read the full TunnelBear review
Comparison of the Best VPNs for Windows in 2024
How to Choose the Best VPNs for Windows in 2024
- Find a VPN with a dedicated Windows app. I only recommend getting a VPN that has a dedicated Windows app, which you can easily install on your device — VPNs that require you to manually set up a VPN connection on your Windows device are extremely inconvenient. All of the VPNs on this list come with dedicated Windows apps that you can quickly install in just 1–2 minutes.
- Look for a VPN with strong security features. You should only pick a Windows VPN that comes with industry-standard security features, such as 256-bit AES encryption, a no-logs policy to prevent the VPN from spying on your traffic, protection against IPv6, DNS, or WebRTC leaks, and a kill switch to protect your from data leaks if the VPN disconnects.
- Pick a VPN that offers fast speeds. While all VPNs inherently reduce speeds due to encryption and decryption processes, the top providers minimize this speed loss. My recommended VPNs deliver fast speeds for web browsing, streaming, torrenting, and gaming.
- Select a VPN that’s user-friendly. The VPN needs have a Windows application that’s straightforward and easy to operate, ensuring that it doesn’t take you longer than a few seconds to locate and connect to a server. Most leading VPNs also come with a quick-connect function, which handily links you to the speediest server for your location.
- VPNs with comprehensive apps for Windows can provide added value — especially for advanced users or those looking for additional features. Features like split-tunneling in ExpressVPN or ad-blocking in Private Internet Access’s app enhance the user experience.
- Look for good pricing. A good VPN should come with affordable plans and a free plan or a generous money-back guarantee that lets you test its Windows app risk-free.
How to Install a VPN on Windows
- Choose a VPN with a good Windows app. I recommend ExpressVPN because it has a user-friendly Windows app, the fastest speeds on the market, and a larger server network.
- Pick a plan and subscribe. Visit the website of your chosen VPN service. Find a plan that suits your needs best and create an account. My #1 pick, ExpressVPN, always offers great promotional deals.
- Download the VPN on your Windows PC. Find the Windows app on the VPN’s website. ExpressVPN takes you to a page with all of its apps once you’ve created an account. Click the Download button.
- Run the installer. Locate the downloaded file. Windows automatically sends downloaded files to the Downloads folder unless you’ve manually changed the settings. Double-click on the installer to start the installation process.
- Follow the installation prompts. An installation wizard will guide you through the setup. Follow the on-screen instructions, agree to the terms and conditions, and select where you want Windows to keep the installation file for the VPN.
- Launch the VPN app and log into your account. Find the VPN app on your desktop or in your start menu and double-click on it. Use the credentials you provided during the sign-up process earlier to log in.
- Connect to a server. Most VPN apps have a list of available servers you can scroll through. However, a lot of top VPNs automatically recommend a server location for you based on your current location. ExpressVPN has a Recommended section and divides all of its servers into regions, so they’re easy to find. When you find the server you want to connect to, click Connect.
- Verify your connection. To ensure you’re connected securely, visit a website like whatismyip.com to check your IP address. It should show the location of the VPN server you’ve connected to, not your actual location. ExpressVPN has a “What’s my IP address” tool on its site to help you check if your real IP address is hidden.
Top Brands That Didn’t Make the Cut
- VyprVPN. VyprVPN has strong security, is good for streaming, torrenting, and gaming, and it’s one of the best VPNs to use in a restrictive country. That said, its Windows app is missing split-tunneling and a malicious site blocker.
- IPVanish. IPVanish has great torrenting support, is great for gaming, and has pretty decent speeds. However, its Windows app has a very outdated design, and it’s not very intuitive. Plus, it doesn’t work with most top streaming sites like Netflix.
- HMA VPN. HMA VPN has servers in 210 countries, good speeds, and decent streaming support. However, I don’t like that its Windows app is not really intuitive, and it’s missing split-tunneling.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best VPN for Windows?
ExpressVPN is my favorite VPN for Windows in 2024. Its Windows app is very easy to use, has excellent security, maintains the fastest speeds on the market, works with Netflix and other streaming services, supports torrenting, and backs each payment plan with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Are there any free VPNs for Windows?
Yes, there are free VPNs available for Windows. But free VPNs usually lack standard security features, have slow speeds, may log your personal data, and set a limit on the amount of data you can use.
But if you still need a free VPN, Proton VPN is a great choice — you get unlimited data, a really user-friendly Windows app, strong security, and good speeds. However, you’re limited to servers in the US, the Netherlands, and Japan, can only connect 1 device, and don’t get streaming and P2P support.
Is it safe to use a VPN on my Windows device?
Yes, it’s very safe to use a VPN on your Windows desktop computer, laptop, or tablet. All of the VPNs on this list protect your data with 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, secure protocols, and a strict no-logs policy. Most of them also include advanced security features like RAM-only servers (every reset wipes all data), protection against IPv6, DNS, and WebRTC leaks, and perfect forward secrecy, which changes the encryption key for each VPN session.
Does Windows have a built-in VPN?
Yes, Windows has a built-in VPN desktop client, but it’s not the same thing as a VPN service provider like ExpressVPN.The Windows VPN client is designed to use your device as a VPN server, but setting it up is a very technical process (and you still need to subscribe to a third-party VPN provider for the Windows VPN client to work). I recommend that you keep things simple and purchase a trustworthy VPN service to be able to connect to one of their multiple VPN servers.
