Best VPN for Windows PCs in 2026

NordVPN is our best VPN for Windows pick when the decision is limited to documented app support and controls. Its official Windows material covers current x64 and ARM64 paths, an Internet Kill Switch, and app-based split tunneling. ExpressVPN offers more detailed address and subnet routing, Surfshark removes the device cap, CyberGhost has the lowest checked first bill, and Private Internet Access exposes the deepest routing controls.

The order reflects current provider documentation for Windows support, desktop controls, device limits, and offer terms checked on July 22, 2026. It is not a performance-test ranking: we did not run a current comparative speed, leak, reliability, or support test for this update. Use the shortlist to match app features to your PC, then use each full review for the wider privacy and product decision.

Windows VPNs compared by documented fit

Provider review	Choose it for	Main Windows constraint	Checked US offer	Devices
NordVPN	Balanced x64 and ARM64 support with approachable app controls	PIA and ExpressVPN expose more detailed routing rules	$94.23 for 27 months, then $139.08/year	10
ExpressVPN	App, IP-address, and subnet rules in the Windows v12 app	Tiered plans make the purchase harder to compare	Campaign, location, and plan dependent; record the first charge and renewal at checkout	10 on Basic
Surfshark	Unlimited devices and app or website Bypasser rules	Its lowest rate requires a long prepaid term	$67.23 for 27 months; verify renewal in the checkout	Unlimited
CyberGhost	Low first bill, Smart Rules, and website exceptions	No general app-by-app split tunneling; listed ARM chips are unsupported	$41.34 for 26 months; verify renewal in the cart	7
Private Internet Access	App, IP/subnet, DNS, and advanced kill-switch control	More settings than the other picks	$2.03/month for 3 years plus 3 months; renews at $79 every 3 years	Unlimited

Prices were checked on 22 July 2026. The monthly figures are averages for prepaid introductory terms, not month-to-month prices. Taxes, promotions, and renewal amounts can change, so judge the plan by the amount charged today and the renewal shown in the final cart.

Ownership is also concentrated. ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and PIA appear in Kape Technologies’ brand portfolio. NordVPN and Surfshark formed a group of companies in 2022 and continue to operate as separate products, as Nord Security’s company reporting explains. These relationships do not erase app differences, but the five names do not represent five unrelated ownership groups.

NordVPN: the most balanced documented Windows option

NordVPN’s official Windows download page lists support for 64-bit Windows 10 and Windows 11 and provides a native path for supported Windows 11 ARM64 PCs. Its split-tunneling guide documents app exceptions, while the Internet Kill Switch can stop unprotected traffic if the tunnel fails.

That combination is useful on a mixed-use PC. You can keep a browser or download client inside the tunnel while excluding a trusted local or work app that will not function through it. Any excluded traffic uses your normal connection, so exceptions should stay narrow.

The main drawback is renewal cost. NordVPN is the balanced feature pick here, but Surfshark and PIA cover unlimited devices, and PIA offers more detailed routing. Read our NordVPN review for the wider product evidence or use the NordVPN setup guide after installing it.

ExpressVPN: detailed routing in a simpler Windows app

ExpressVPN is the better fit if you value a simpler desktop app but still need precise routing. Its current Windows v12 release notes cover Windows 10 or later on x64 systems and a separate Windows 11 ARM64 path.

The Windows app includes Network Lock, its kill switch. ExpressVPN’s desktop split-tunneling documentation covers applications, IP addresses, and subnets, which makes the routing controls more capable than a simple include-or-exclude list.

The drawback is the tier structure. Advanced and Pro add products and more connections, but they also make the purchase harder to compare with a single-plan VPN. Choose the tier for the features you will use, not the largest discount shown. Read our ExpressVPN review or see how to use ExpressVPN.

Surfshark: unlimited devices and flexible Bypasser rules

Surfshark is the value choice when your Windows PC is only one device in a busy home. A paid subscription permits unlimited simultaneous connections, so you can cover laptops, phones, tablets, and TVs without counting slots.

If device count is the deciding factor, compare the wider shortlist in our guide to the best VPNs for multiple devices.

Surfshark’s Windows setup documentation covers its current installer paths, including ARM. Its Bypasser guide explains how to exclude selected apps and websites or route only selected apps through the VPN. Those are practical controls for a home PC that handles work, local devices, and streaming.

Its strongest value depends on a long first term. If you only need one PC and prefer a simpler interface, ExpressVPN may be the cleaner choice. Read our Surfshark review, or compare our best VPNs for streaming if video is the main job.

CyberGhost: low first bill with narrower routing

CyberGhost has the lowest fully itemized introductory total in this five-provider roster. Its checked checkout displayed $41.34 for 26 months, or $1.59 per month equivalent. One account supports 7 simultaneous connections.

Its Windows setup documentation lists Windows 10 version 1903 and later and Windows 11, along with WireGuard, IKEv2, and OpenVPN. The separate Smart Rules guide covers startup, Wi-Fi behavior, and Website Exceptions.

That last point is also the drawback. CyberGhost’s Windows Exceptions are website rules, not general app-by-app split tunneling. Its current requirements also exclude Microsoft SQ1, SQ2, SQ3, and Snapdragon ARM processors. Choose it for a conventional x64 Windows PC and a low initial total, not for the broadest routing or ARM support.

Read our CyberGhost review for the broader tradeoffs. Our CyberGhost setup guide explains Smart Rules in more detail.

Private Internet Access: the deepest documented Windows controls

Private Internet Access, usually called PIA, is the strongest option here for precise Windows routing. Its desktop split-tunneling guide covers app bypass and VPN-only rules, IP addresses or subnets, and Windows DNS behavior.

PIA’s kill-switch guide describes standard and Advanced modes. Advanced Kill Switch makes a VPN connection a requirement for internet access even when the PIA app is closed. Its system requirements cover 64-bit Windows 10 and 11 as well as Windows ARM64.

The drawback is complexity. PIA’s controls are useful when you need them, but NordVPN is easier for a first-time buyer. Read our PIA review or follow the PIA setup guide.

Windows app support and controls at a glance

Provider review	Current Windows scope	Split tunneling	Kill-switch approach	ARM note
NordVPN	Windows 10 x64 and Windows 11	Apps can bypass the VPN	Internet and app controls	Native app for supported Windows 11 ARM64 PCs; some extra protection features differ
ExpressVPN	Windows 10+ v12 on x64	Apps, IP addresses, and subnets	Network Lock	Separate Windows 11 ARM64 path
Surfshark	Current Windows app	Apps and websites; bypass or route-only modes	Kill Switch	ARM installer available
CyberGhost	Windows 10 1903+ and Windows 11	Website Exceptions only	Automatic Kill Switch	Current requirements exclude listed Microsoft and Snapdragon ARM chips
Private Internet Access	Windows 10/11 64-bit	Apps, IP addresses, subnets, and DNS behavior	Standard and Advanced Kill Switch	Windows ARM64 supported

This matrix describes the current official apps, not every legacy installer. If your PC runs an older or 32-bit Windows release, check whether the provider still supplies security updates before paying.

Windows 10 needs more than a VPN now

Microsoft ended normal Windows 10 support on October 14, 2025. Its consumer Extended Security Updates program covers eligible Windows 10 22H2 devices until October 13, 2026 and provides critical and important security updates rather than new features or technical support.

A VPN does not patch an unsupported operating system. If you remain on Windows 10, confirm ESU enrollment or plan a supported upgrade, keep browsers and applications current, and review our Windows 10 privacy settings after end of support. Avoid a VPN app that has itself stopped receiving updates for your version of Windows.

How to set up a VPN on Windows 11 or 10

1. Download the provider’s current Windows installer from its official site and confirm that it matches x64 or ARM64 hardware.
2. Install the app, sign in, and connect to a nearby server first.
3. Read and enable the kill-switch mode that matches your needs. An advanced or always-on mode can intentionally block the internet when the VPN is off.
4. Add split-tunneling exceptions only when a specific trusted app, address, or site needs your normal connection.
5. Restart the PC, then test reconnection after sleep and a Wi-Fi change before relying on the setup while traveling.

For the full provider-app and built-in-client paths, use our guide to setting up a VPN on Windows 10 and 11. If the terminology is new, start with our VPN guide for beginners.

Our pick

Choose Surfshark for unlimited devices, PIA for detailed routing, CyberGhost for the lowest verified introductory total, or ExpressVPN for a simpler app with address and subnet rules. No VPN compensates for an unsupported Windows installation, so operating-system updates remain part of the decision.

Check NordVPN’s current offer only after comparing its renewal and wider tradeoffs in the full review.

FAQ

Can I still use a VPN on Windows 10?

Yes, the current apps in this comparison support specified Windows 10 releases. Microsoft ended normal Windows 10 support in October 2025, however, so a VPN is not a substitute for ESU enrollment or moving to a supported operating system.

Does Windows include a VPN?

Windows includes a VPN client that can connect with server and authentication details, but it does not include a commercial VPN subscription or server network. A provider app normally adds its locations, kill switch, automatic connection, and split-tunneling controls.

Should I enable the kill switch on Windows?

Enable it if you do not want traffic to fall back to the normal connection when the VPN drops. Test it first because Advanced or always-on modes can deliberately block all internet access until the VPN reconnects.