Windows 10 is used on well over a billion devices worldwide, so it’s not surprising that Windows 10 VPN services are becoming ever more popular. The best VPN providers are always looking to dominate the PC VPN market, and seeing as there are so many users and so much at stake, the apps made for Windows always have the most up-to-date tech and top performance.
So, whether you want to stream exclusive content from Netflix, torrent without being tracked or just stay anonymous when you’re browsing the web, a VPN for Windows is the perfect tool. Picking the right provider, though, can be tricky.
Here, we’ve rounded up the very best PC VPNs on the market, and outlined what they can do for you, what they can’t, and reasons why each one might be the best choice for you.
How does a Windows 10 VPN for PC work?
A VPN for Windows routes your internet connection away from your ISP and through its own servers. These servers are more highly encrypted than the ones your ISP uses, and subsequently are virtually impenetrable. If you want your activity to be totally private – even to your ISP – the best PC VPN is essential.
Some VPNs are great for streaming, too. Because they have servers all around the world, you can connect to one and you’ll appear to be in that country. This can be used to bypass geo-restrictions and access streaming content that’s not available in your country – all the content that’s available on Canadian Netflix, for example, or BBC iPlayer from the US.
So, if you’re in the market for a Windows VPN, read on to find out which providers work best with the operating system and provide the best value for money. We’ve rated ExpressVPN as the best VPN for PC, but there are still other options that might be a better fit for you. So, without further ado, let’s get into it.
Best Windows 10 VPN for PC in 2022
ExpressVPN tops this list of Windows 10 VPNs because it’s the full package. Not only is the software lovely to look at and easy to use, but it houses serious configuration options as well as some really useful additional features.
At its core, ExpressVPN uses tried-and-trusted AES-256 encryption on its servers to ensure your data is as safe as possible, and on your end you can choose between a number of protocols to tailor the VPN’s performance towards speed or ultimate security.
Housing all this is the client, which neatly packages everything into a clean, crisp UI which is super intuitive to use – and this Windows version is the basis of all others. From the off you’ll have a full list of servers plus a quick-connect option, as well as a history of your recently used locations. Something a lot of VPNs miss out is the ability to change servers without disconnecting – but Express can do just that.
Looking through the server list you’ll see locations in over 94 countries, meaning if you fancy exploring the world’s Netflix libraries, you’re in luck. On that note, Express can also access pretty much any streaming service you want – from NBC’s Peacock and Crunchyroll to Hulu and iPlayer – and its stellar connection speeds will get you watching in HD.
However, the reason it’s top of this list is the fact that the Windows client pulls together advanced features like a kill switch, split tunneling, and Smart Connect in a super simple-to-use package. It’s perfect for both advanced users and VPN newbies alike.
Combine all that with a watertight privacy policy and class-leading support, and you really do have an excellent VPN for Windows on the market.
NordVPN is one of the best services for security, with a great range of security feature like Double VPN and Onion over VPN. Combine that with strong DNS leak protection, two kill switches, IKEv2/IPsec, OpenVPN, PPTP, and L2TP protocols and excellent connection speeds and you have yourself a very impressive Windows 10 VPN indeed.
The PC VPN client is P2P friendly and offers a nice simple interface, which makes it an excellent choice for torrenting. And, on top of that, connection speeds are class-leading, so whatever you’re doing, you won’t be held up by Nord.
NordVPN recently underwent a second independent audit which proved its privacy policy’s claims of zero-logging, and this will be a big tick for the privacy conscious. You’re in safe hands, and you can trust that Nord’s not collecting any data which could identify you or your activity.
That all sounds pretty technical though, and we know most people just want to be able to plug and play – Nord can do exactly that. You can simply open up the Windows client and in one click you’re protected. It’s also super easy to switch servers and activate any extras you want. The interface is a little complex, but it’s far better on Windows compared to mobile devices.
NordVPN is one of the most well-known and popular VPNs for Windows for a reason – excellent privacy, tons of servers all over the world and clients that get the job done. If you care about the safety of your data, NordVPN is definitely one to look out for.
Sign up now in the NordVPN website
If you’re looking to spend as little as possible on a VPN for Windows but still want a premium service, look no further than Surfshark. For less than $2.50 a month you can get most of the features available in VPNs costing twice as much.
The first thing you’ll notice is the simple, cheerful Windows client. Admittedly there isn’t quite as much configuration available here as with ExpressVPN, but Surfshark’s by no means underpowered and still boasts some nice features.
You’ll get a kill switch to protect you if your connection drops, a good selection of protocols, double VPN hop and a useful quick connect button.
However, in our testing we noticed that the kill switch wasn’t perfect. If activated, you essentially have to have the VPN on otherwise your connection is cut. That should only be the case if the VPN drops out. And, if you’ve got the kill switch inactive, the app doesn’t notify you that your connection has dropped.
Just like ExpressVPN above, though, Surfshark is also great for streaming, unblocking pretty much every streaming service available. That, along with impressive connection speeds, makes it a very appealing option for casual users who just want the peace of mind a PC VPN can bring.
Surfshark also provides a 24/7 live chat support service should anything go wrong, and in truth its slight limitations only make the process of using this Windows 10 VPN a simpler task. All you need for less than $2.50 a month? You can’t really go wrong with that.
Sign up now on the Surfshark website
In our most recent ProtonVPN review, the Swiss provider addressed just about all of our previous issues, and now there’s very little stopping it from challenging the very biggest and best on the market.
Nowhere is that clearer than in its Windows VPN app, where it provides huge usability in an easy-to-use (albeit quite large) application.
Most appealing are its credentials as a truly private VPN. A fully audited zero-logging policy pairs with powerful encryption and excellent additional features like the Secure Core servers and Tor over VPN to provide a rock-solid privacy tool. The best thing, though, is that it doesn’t make any sacrifices to do so.
ProtonVPN is now our second-best rated Netflix VPN, just behind ExpressVPN, thanks to its excellent speeds and its power to unblock a wide range of libraries. Not content with US Netflix, Proton hacks into Canada and the UK as well – two catalogues that have a wealth of great exclusive shows.
Something ProtonVPN could improve upon is its support, and while the on-site articles are some of the best in the business and the live chat support are very helpful, direct contact isn’t available 24/7. If it sorts that out, we could see ProtonVPN edging even further up the rankings soon.
Sign up now on the ProtonVPN website
CyberGhost has been around the block a few times, and has learnt a thing or two in the process. As it’s steadily improved, it’s developed into a potent VPN for Windows, and in our CyberGhost review, it delivered some great results.
Most impressive are the connections speeds when using WireGuard, topping out over 800Mbps. That makes CyberGhost a seriously fast VPN, and it won’t slow you down, whatever you’re doing. That also goes hand in hand with its excellent streaming performance, unblocking every service we tested.
The Windows app is stable, and despite not showing notifications and a couple of small issues with the kill switch, it’s very capable and reliable.
Overall, while it still can’t quite challenge the very best, CyberGhost is still worth considering as a PC VPN.
Head over to the CyberGhost website to sign up.
Best Windows 10 VPN for PC FAQ
What is the best Windows 10 VPN?
Overall, we recommend ExpressVPN as the best Windows 10 VPN on the market. It’s great for streaming, staying anonymous, has plenty of servers, and also delivers excellent connection speeds.
However, close on its tail is NordVPN, with a very similar feature set for a little cheaper, and a great bargain option is Surfshark, which is available for less than $2.50 a month.
Why do I need a VPN for Windows?
A PC VPN can offer a lot more than many people think. While it can help protect your data from hackers and when you’re on public Wi-Fi, you’ll also be able to access content that would previously have been unavailable. All you need to do is select a server in the country of your choice, and away you go.
VPNs can also help you avoid location-based price targeting. Many products – especially digital services – alter their advertised prices depending on where the customer lives. If you want to save a bit of cash, it’s worth seeing how much the service charges in other countries.
Often you’ll find that lower-income areas will be offered cheaper prices, and businesses also often advertise better prices to those who live in their own country. This process is often trial and error, but your VPN could pay for itself in no time.
What makes a great VPN for PC?
Since Windows is a great all-round operating system, you’ll want a VPN that can do it all as well.
Firstly, you’ll need great privacy – look for verified no-logging policies and top encryption standards. It’s also worth making sure you’ve got additional features like split tunneling and a kill switch for maximum functionality.
Then you should make sure that you can access the streaming services that you want. Some VPNs struggle with iPlayer or Netflix, so if you want to watch as much as possible, take a look at our Netflix VPN and iPlayer VPN guide, or just go with ExpressVPN which can pretty much do it all with no hassle.
Finally, it’s worth making sure that your VPN is simple and easy to use. Ideally you’ll want to set it and forget it, so being able to quickly open the app and get protected is super important.
Can I get a free Windows 10 VPN?
Yes, free Windows VPNs are available, but every one comes with some kind of restriction – after all, VPNs are businesses and at the end of the day, they need to get paid.
Fifth-place Hotspot Shield probably offers the best free PC VPN option on the market, giving a decent 500MB a day of data. Compare that with a service like TunnelBear, which offers 500MB a month, and it starts to look quite tempting.
However, if you’re going to do anything major with your Windows 10 VPN – especially if you’re using it as a streaming VPN – we’d thoroughly recommend paying for a service.
If you can’t afford a premium service like ExpressVPN (which we whole-heartedly recommend to pretty much everyone) it’d be worth having a read through our cheap VPN list – you might be surprised at how little many fully-featured VPNs go for.
Why do I need a Windows 10 VPN?
A VPN for Windows can offer a lot more than many people think. While it can help protect your data from hackers and when you’re on public Wi-Fi, you’ll also be able to access content that would previously have been unavailable. All you need to do is select a server in the country of your choice, and away you go.
VPNs can also help you avoid location-based price targeting. Many products – especially digital services – alter their advertised prices depending on where the customer lives. If you want to save a bit of cash, it’s worth seeing how much the service charges in other countries.
Often you’ll find that lower-income areas will be offered cheaper prices, and businesses also often advertise better prices to those who live in their own country. This process is often trial and error, but your VPN could pay for itself in no time.