Best VPN for Windows
Searching for the best VPN service for your Windows PC? We test each of the top VPN services and here are our top picks for PC users.
Searching for the best VPN service for your Windows PC? We test each of the top VPN services and here are our top picks for PC users.
Windows is the most widely used desktop and laptop operating system. It was also one of the first operating systems to make use of VPNs, which were popular with early adopters and computer geeks.
As Windows became the most popular operating system, more VPNs became available (Linux is still reserved for those with a computer science degree).
Even if they don't have Mac or Android versions, most commercial VPN services now have Windows-compatible apps or programs. As a result, VPN performance on Windows is critical.
The VPNs in the table below are ranked based on how well they perform on Windows. Furthermore, our ranking took into account speed, features, stability, and usability. You can also find the best overall VPNs based on the elements we tested.
While we thoroughly tested every VPN on this list, please keep in mind that your results may vary. The margin of error in determining the best VPN for Windows is 1-2 percent.
Our VPN service testing seeks to level the playing field for all. We made every effort to eliminate all performance-related factors. Because some factors are beyond our control, our testing systems are unbiased.
We can trust the results because we control 99 percent of the testing environment. First, consider your Windows version. Do you have Windows 10, 8, or 7 installed? VPN performance, on the other hand, may vary.
Because the October 2018 update was the only one available, we only tested Windows 10. We chose this Windows version because it is used by the majority of our readers. Many, if not all, Windows 10 apps are also Windows 8 compatible.
This applies to almost everyone. We chose a standard testing system. We understand, however, that not everyone's setup will be the same.
The specifications of a computer, on the other hand, have little effect on the performance of a VPN. More than 4GB of RAM and an Intel i3 processor, for example, will not degrade performance.
Our Test System Configuration Consists of:
We made certain that all VPN software was installed correctly from the start. We also tested the full version of the software, also known as the premium version.
Each VPN software was evaluated based on its overall connection speed, content streaming capabilities, P2P/torrent servers, encryption, and other features. Streaming content was done via Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime.
To test overall internet speeds, users connected to the VPN server, ran the speed test, and then disconnected from it. It was carried out five times for each service.
A speed average was calculated using the uptime and downtime of each session. In addition, we used the 'quick connect' feature of each software, which is designed to connect users to the fastest server.
There are a few characteristics that we look for in a VPN service. While you may have other needs, these are the most common for most users. Then there's the fact that, in our opinion, any VPN that doesn't meet these standards isn't worth paying for.
You should think about the following features:
Ease of Use:
Using a VPN service that is difficult to understand is pointless. The good news is that VPN interfaces have improved over time. So, while finding a VPN with a simple interface is easier, we can help you find the best one.
Support for a wide range of privacy and security technologies:
Some of the best security technologies, such as OpenVPN and IPsec, are combined with military-grade encryption. The greater the number of security features provided by a service, the more secure your identity will be. As a result, it appears that the greater the number of features, the better.
Support streaming services (the more the merrier):
Services such as Hulu, Netflix, and Amazon Prime, among others, should be supported because they allow people in other countries to watch shows that aren't available in their own country. Also, when using a VPN service, borders should not be an issue!
Provide P2P file sharing protocol support:
Torrents are used by almost everyone, so it stands to reason that the VPN service should support them.
A large number of servers: The greater the number of servers a service has in different countries, the better because something is always available. Connecting to a VPN can be difficult because low-quality services have fewer servers.
Speed:
VPNs do, to some extent, throttle your connection speed. Slow and poorly configured servers, on the other hand, can reduce internet speeds by up to 75%. We always consider faster speed better because it is critical for a positive online experience.
A no-logging policy:
Logging violates privacy and defeats the purpose of using a VPN in the first place. Unfortunately, many VPN service providers keep logs, which is unfortunate. Furthermore, the region in which a VPN service is based frequently requires logging, so keep an eye on where the service is based. As a result, we consider it when evaluating VPNs.
Encryption:
AES-256 encryption is widely considered to be the gold standard for all VPNs.
Advanced configuration options:
We understand that not everyone who signs up for a VPN service is a beginner. However, because many of them are advanced users, getting into the software and customizing it to the needs of your network is critical.
Price:
Even if a monthly VPN subscription costs the same as a Starbucks latte these days, price is important. If you can get a better product for less money, it means you're getting more bang for your buck!
NordVPN is, in our opinion, the best VPN for Windows. NordVPN, based in Panama, has a logless policy, which means it does not keep connection or usage logs. We were also pleased with the double-hop encryption, kill switch, and Tor over VPN features.
All of these options are available in the app's settings. Unlike the mobile version of NordVPN, the Windows software is not intrusive.
Everything is neatly arranged on a single screen, complete with a map in the center. If you are new to using VPNs, simply click the 'Quick Connect' button at the bottom of the screen. After that, the software will locate and connect to the fastest server.
Here are some of the things we liked about NordVPN:
Specialty Servers:
NordVPN has dedicated servers designed to help users with specific tasks such as streaming video and downloading torrents. All of this implies that you will be able to complete the necessary tasks quickly and efficiently.
Dedicated P2P Servers:
Using dedicated P2P servers, downloading and uploading to P2P networks is a breeze. It even outperforms regular servers in terms of speed and anonymity.
Double VPN:
People who live in highly regulated and conservative areas of the world will benefit from the Double VPN feature. For this feature to function, your internet traffic is routed through two VPN servers. Although it reduces internet speed, it ensures that the encryption is impenetrable. Even if the first layer of 256-bit encryption is somehow bypassed, nothing can be traced back to you.
Dedicated IP:
The majority of the VPN services we tested did not provide a dedicated IP address (Internet Protocol Address). NordVPN, on the other hand, does, but the only IPs available are from the US, Germany, the UK, and the Netherlands. Nonetheless, the feature worked flawlessly, and it was only available with the best VPN service we tested.
A Huge number of Servers:
NordVPN has 5500 servers in 59 countries around the world, which is quite a large number. During our testing, however, we were able to connect to a server of our choice at all times of the day.
Whether you're new to VPNs or a seasoned pro, NordVPN has something for you. It's reasonably priced if you sign up for a long-term subscription and includes a slew of features, including several security options. In our opinion, it offers the best value for money.
When it comes to overall speeds, each time we were connected to the VPN, it was a mixed bag across the board with each tested VPN. The speed of the VPN generally depends on the following factors:
When testing VPN speeds, we made certain that everything was equal across the board. Because we are based in Canada, we connected to a VPN in Canada or the United States for each VPN we tested.
ExpressVPN came out on top in terms of raw speed. It was 10% faster than NordVPN, which came in second, and 15% faster than PureVPN, which came in third.
We tested each service five times on average, and the speed percentage is an average of the speeds we received when we disconnected, reconnected, and ran the speed test.
The ease of use is critical for everyone. The easier it is to use a VPN, the more likely it is to be used. While VPN services' user interfaces have improved over time, some are arguably easier to understand and use than others.
We polled the entire office to see which VPNs we tested were the easiest to use. The majority of votes went to ExpressVPN.
Nothing beats ExpressVPN's straightforward user interface. Furthermore, the software boots in a fraction of a second, and all you need to do to use the VPN is click on the large button in the center.
ExpressVPN, unlike the other VPN services we tested, does not assume you are computer savvy .Furthermore, the Windows interface is identical on iOS and Android devices. As a result, you can look forward to a consistent experience.
NordVPN and Cyberghost are nearly identical in terms of features. However, in terms of features, we must give the edge to NordVPN, which provides obfuscated servers and dedicated IP addresses in addition to all of Cyberghost's features.
Furthermore, unlike Cyberghost, we were able to access Netflix and Hulu streaming content. Unfortunately, we were unable to stream Netflix in the United Kingdom or the United States using Cyberghost because the service (Netflix) detected that we were using a VPN. Despite the fact that streaming was occasionally slower than usual, NordVPN performed flawlessly.
Additionally, obfuscated servers enable people to use the service in countries where oppressive regimes actively monitor people's internet activities. ISPs have no way of knowing if a user is using a VPN.
For us, price is always a factor. VPNs have become more affordable, with most only costing a few dollars per month. But what if you want a cheap VPN for your Windows PC?
At $9.95 a month, we'll have to give the win to IVACY, which PIA closely follows at $9.99 a month. However, we recommend that anyone who uses a VPN service get a long-term subscription. Get a year-long subscription at the very least, which will save you a lot of money.
PureVPN, which costs $2.88 per month for a two-year subscription and is the most affordable annual subscription, is a good option for those looking for an annual subscription.
Buffered VPN has to be the worst option for any Windows user or VPN user in general. To begin, the VPN is not cheap, with prices beginning at more than $12.99 per month. There's also the matter of their logging policy.
Despite being based in Gibraltar, the company's headquarters are in Hungary, and its data is stored in the Netherlands. Both the Netherlands and Hungary must share intelligence data, and both have been accused of logging and sharing user logs with authorities.
Another significant disadvantage of Buffered VPN is its slowness. It was the slowest VPN we tested for this review. At its fastest, the service was 25% slower than Nord VPN and 30% slower than ExpressVPN. We also came across a few bugs.
After disconnecting from the VPN server, the software hung up for a minute. Furthermore, even after disconnecting, our internet appeared to stop working at times, with a yellow exclamation mark on our WiFi icon.
To restore normalcy, we reset our computer's WiFi card. The issues listed above support our claim that Buffered VPN is difficult to use on Windows and is not cheap!
Depending on where you live, your internet speed may vary. However, privacy settings, logging policies, and server availability are all fairly consistent across all platforms.
A VPN service that provides all of the features needed at a reasonable price is the best option for Windows users.
If you live in a particularly oppressive country, such as Iran, China, or North Korea, you should invest in the best VPN service available, with encrypted servers. Nobody will be able to tell, not even your Internet service provider.
We understand how difficult it is to make a decision in light of this. However, in terms of performance, the services on this list have outperformed the rest of our pool of VPN services. You can't go wrong with these!