Best Windows 10 VPN in 2021
With a Windows 10 VPN, you can keep your PC safe and secure.
The best Windows 10 VPN is in high demand right now, and the race to be the best VPN for Windows is as fierce as ever. Windows is a robust, versatile, and well-known operating system that is used on over a billion devices globally, but it does have a few weaknesses that a VPN can help to address.
Windows 10 VPNs are more popular than ever and have become standard software for anything from streaming and torrenting to protecting your ordinary surfing and personal information. The most important question is which one is the best fit for you.
We evaluated almost every VPN we could find to assist you to make that decision, and we’ve narrowed it down to the top five. But first, let’s look at what a Windows 10 VPN can accomplish for you.
How does a Windows 10 VPN work?
A VPN for Windows 10 diverts your internet traffic away from your ISP and through its own servers. These servers are more heavily encrypted than those used by your ISP, making them almost impenetrable. A Windows 10 VPN is required if you want your online activities to be completely hidden, even from your ISP.
Some VPNs are also excellent for streaming. You can connect to one of their servers anywhere in the world and pretend to be in that country. This can be used to get around geo-restrictions and access streaming content that isn’t available in your country, such as all of the anime on Japanese Netflix or BBC iPlayer in the United Kingdom.
If you’re looking for a Windows 10 VPN, keep reading to see which companies operate best with the operating system and offer the best value. Although we recommend ExpressVPN as the best VPN for Windows 10, there are still other choices that may be a better fit for you. Let’s get started without further ado.
1. ExpressVPN – the best Windows 10 VPN
2. NordVPN – the biggest name is still one of the best
3. Surfshark – seriously great value Windows 10 VPN
Best Windows 10 VPNs in 2021
The best all-round VPN for Windows
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Because it provides the complete package, ExpressVPN is at the top of this list of Windows 10 VPNs. The software is not only beautiful to look at and simple to use, but it also has a lot of customizing choices and some extremely useful extra functions.
ExpressVPN’s servers use tried-and-trusted AES-256 encryption to keep your data as safe as possible, and you can pick between a number of protocols on your end to tune the VPN’s performance toward speed or absolute security.
The client, which neatly combines everything into a clean, crisp UI that is incredibly straightforward to use — and this Windows version is the foundation of all others – is where it all comes together. You’ll get a full list of servers to choose from right away, as well as a quick-connect option and a history of your recently used locations. The option to switch servers without disconnecting is something that many VPNs lack, but Express does.
If you look at the server list, you’ll notice that there are servers in over 94 countries, so if you want to explore the world’s Netflix libraries, you’re in luck. On that topic, Express can access just about any streaming site you choose, from NBC’s Peacock and Crunchyroll to Hulu and iPlayer, and its lightning-fast connection speeds will get you watching in high definition.
The fact that the Windows client is crammed full of extra features not commonly seen together is why it’s at the top of this list. A kill switch, a helpful split tunneling function (which sends some apps over the VPN but not others), and the foolproof Smart Connect button (which will get you set up on the best server in a single click) are all included.
When you combine all of this with a strict privacy policy and industry-leading support, you have the best Windows 10 VPN available.
Get 3 months free + 49% off the best Windows 10 VPN
Excellent security-focused Windows 10 VPN
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With a wide range of security features including Double VPN and Onion over VPN, NordVPN is one of the top VPNs for security. When you add in robust DNS leak protection, two kill switches, IKEv2/IPsec, OpenVPN, PPTP, and L2TP protocols, and fast connection speeds, you have a really remarkable Windows 10 VPN.
The Windows client is P2P friendly and has a user-friendly interface, making it an ideal torrent client. Furthermore, connection speeds are above average, so you won’t be slowed down by Nord no matter what you’re doing.
NordVPN just underwent a second independent audit, which confirmed its privacy policy’s claims of zero-logging, which is a huge plus for privacy-conscious users. You’re in good hands, and you can rest assured that Nord isn’t collecting any information that could be used to identify you or your activities.
Although this all seems somewhat sophisticated, we understand that most consumers simply want to be able to plug and play, which Nord can provide. You may simply open the Windows client and be secured with a single click. It’s also quite simple to switch servers and activate any optional features. The user interface might use some work, but it’s far better on Windows than on mobile devices.
For a reason, NordVPN is one of the most well-known and popular Windows 10 VPNs — outstanding privacy, a large number of servers throughout the world, and clients that work. If you’re concerned about the security of your data, NordVPN is a good choice.
A top security-focused Windows 10 VPN for a good price
Excellent value with great Windows performance
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Surfshark is a great option if you want to save money on your Windows 10 VPN while still getting a high-quality service. Most of the capabilities seen in VPNs costing twice as much are available for less than $2.50 per month.
The simple, colorful Windows client is the first thing you’ll notice. Although there isn’t quite as much control as with ExpressVPN, Surfshark is far from underpowered and still has several useful features.
You’ll get a kill switch to safeguard you if your connection stops, as well as a wide range of protocols, a double VPN hop, and a handy quick-connect button.
However, we discovered throughout our testing that the kill switch was not ideal. You must have the VPN turned on if it is activated; otherwise, your connection will be interrupted. That should only happen if the VPN goes down. The program also doesn’t warn you that your connection has gone if the kill switch is turned off.
However, just like ExpressVPN, Surfshark is excellent for streaming, unblocking virtually every streaming service available. This, combined with its fast connection speeds, makes it a very enticing alternative for casual users looking for the peace of mind that a VPN can provide.
Surfshark also offers live chat help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in case something goes wrong, and its minor drawbacks actually make using this Windows 10 VPN a lot easier. For $2.21 a month, you get all you need. There’s no way to go wrong with it.
Get the best budget Windows 10 VPN
The fastest Windows 10 VPN on the market
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There are certain disadvantages. The Windows client doesn’t have a lot of configuration choices — you essentially just switch it on and choose your server, which is OK for most people, but sophisticated users may feel limited.
Hotspot Shield also logs a little more data than its competitors, including bandwidth usage, ISP, and devices and servers used. However, in terms of online behavior, we’re confident that this can’t be tracked back to the user.
Hotspot Shield isn’t the ideal solution for individuals searching for a Windows 10 VPN with a lot of configuration options and capabilities. This Windows 10 VPN, on the other hand, could be the answer if you’re looking for a dependable, super-fast option that will get the job done.
Great Windows 10 VPN for getting in-depth
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IPVanish, a US-based VPN mainstay, is a superb Windows VPN with impressive credentials to match its impressive performance. With over 1,600 servers, you’re sure to get a fast connection wherever you need it, and thanks to IPVanish’s full P2P support, you’ll be able to torrent no matter which one you choose.
IPVanish’s Windows client sticks out from the rest; in comparison to most other providers’ austere offerings, IPVanish’s software is jam-packed with data and extra functionality. You’ll see a scrolling graph that shows your connection speed, as well as your IP address, data up and down, and the amount of time you’ve been connected.
A kill switch is available in the Windows client (though not in the iOS app), split tunneling is available, and there’s a nice ‘Scramble’ function that hides the fact that you’re using a VPN at all – essential if you’re also looking for a VPN for China.
However, IPVanish’s interface is a minor flaw – for those unfamiliar with VPNs, it could be daunting. While it’s plug-and-play, being confronted with that much information can be overwhelming for newcomers, and the quantity of configuration can make it feel like you’ve been thrown into the deep end.
If you’re okay with that, IPVanish is one of the most powerful alternatives on the market today, and it appears to be tailor-made to be the ultimate Windows 10 VPN for individuals who want complete control – and its fantastic value at less than $3 per month.
Best Windows 10 VPN FAQ
What is the best Windows 10 VPN?
Overall, we recommend ExpressVPN to be the best Windows 10 VPN available. It’s perfect for streaming, being anonymous, having a large number of servers, and having fast connection rates.
However, NordVPN, which offers a very similar feature set for a little cheaper, is close behind, and Surfshark, which costs less than $2.50 a month, is a wonderful bargain.
Why do I need a Windows 10 VPN?
Many people underestimate the value of a Windows 10 VPN. You’ll be able to view information that was previously unavailable while also helping to protect your data from hackers and when using public Wi-Fi. All you have to do now is choose a server in your preferred country and you’re ready to go.
VPNs can also assist you to avoid price discrimination depending on your location. Many products, particularly digital services, change their advertised prices according to on the customer’s location. If you want to save some money, look into how much service charges are in other nations.
Reduced-income areas are frequently offered lower pricing, and firms frequently advertise better prices to individuals who live in their own country. This is a trial-and-error procedure, but your VPN could quickly pay for itself.
What makes a great Windows 10 VPN?
Because Windows is such a versatile operating system, you’ll need a VPN that can handle anything.
To begin, you’ll need a high level of privacy — seek for no-logging rules that have been validated and high encryption standards. For best functionality, make sure you have additional features such as split tunneling and a kill switch.
Then you must ensure that you have access to the streaming services you desire. Some VPNs have issues with Netflix VPN or iPlayer VPN, so if you want to watch as much as possible, check out our Netflix VPN and iPlayer VPN guides, or just use ExpressVPN, which can do pretty much everything for you.
Lastly, make sure your VPN is basic and straightforward to use. You’ll want to set it and forget it, so being able to open the app fast and get protected is critical.
Can I get a free Windows 10 VPN?
Yes, there are free Windows VPNs accessible, but they all come with some sort of restriction – after all, VPNs are businesses that need to be paid.
Fifth-place Hotspot Shield is perhaps the finest free Windows 10 VPN option available, with 500MB of bandwidth per day. When you compare that to a service like TunnelBear, which offers 500MB per month, it seems rather appealing.
However, if you’re going to do anything significant with your Windows 10 VPN, especially if you’re going to use it as a streaming VPN, we strongly advise you to pay for one.
If you can’t afford a premium service like ExpressVPN (which we strongly suggest to almost everyone), have a look at our list of cheap VPN – you’ll be shocked at how cheap many fully-featured VPNs can be.
Why do I need a Windows 10 VPN?
Many people underestimate the value of a Windows 10 VPN. You’ll be able to view information that was previously unavailable while also helping to protect your data from hackers and when using public Wi-Fi. All you have to do now is choose a server in your preferred country and you’re ready to go.
VPNs can also assist you to avoid price discrimination depending on your location. Many products, particularly digital services, change their advertised prices according to the customer’s location. If you want to save some money, look into how much service charges are in other countries.
Reduced-income areas are frequently offered lower pricing, and firms frequently advertise better prices to individuals who live in their own country. This is a trial-and-error procedure, but your VPN could quickly pay for itself.
