Windows is undoubtedly one of the best and most familiar operating systems in the digital age. This OS provides users with top-notch performance, industry-leading software, and advanced solutions, resulting in over 1.3 billion devices running on Windows 10. Even the latest release, Windows 11, is quickly rising in popularity. However, due to its large market share, Windows OS is susceptible to hackers, malware, and other dangerous cyber threats. If you want to protect yourself against these threats, then you need a VPN.
VPNs can benefit users in a number of ways. Since VPNs encrypt all traffic in a secure tunnel, users can freely and anonymously browse the web without worrying about lurking dangers. Additionally, VPNs can allow you to spoof your location to access geo-blocked content that would otherwise be inaccessible. If you want to find out more about VPNs and their uses, then check out this article.
All in all, a VPN can be a crucial tool to have on your Windows device. Whether you’re using Windows 10 or 11, on your laptop or PC, you should definitely consider protecting yourself with a VPN. There are so many VPNs to choose from, each claiming to offer the finest features, fastest speeds, and most secure servers. We’ve researched all the top VPNs to find the very best money can buy. Keep reading to discover the best VPNs for Windows in 2022 –
The best VPNs for Windows quick guide
- NordVPN – Best overall choice
- ExpressVPN – For speed & security
- Surfshark – Low-cost option
Try out NordVPN* for Windows now!
How to choose the best VPN for Windows
First and foremost, the best VPN for Windows will be fully compatible with the OS. Luckily, pretty much all VPNs do have Windows OS support, meaning that they have a functional client that can be installed on Windows PCs and laptops. Some providers, however, have much more intuitive and user-friendly clients than others.
For beginners especially, you’ll want a VPN with a clean and easy-to-use interface, so you can quickly choose and connect to servers without any hassles. Most VPNs also have browser extensions (Chrome, Firefox, Edge) available for quick traffic encryption.
Depending on how people are in your household, or the number of devices you want to protect, you need to check if your chosen VPN allows multiple simultaneous connections. Some VPNs allow up to 5 or 6 connections, meaning that you can have this amount of devices protected by your VPN at once. If you have a laptop, PC, and phone, for example, then you can secure them all under a single VPN subscription.
One of the most important factors that distinguish the ‘good’ VPNs from the ‘best’ VPNs is their speed. If you want to watch buffer-free content in high quality or play online games with no lag, then you need a VPN with notoriously fast connection speeds and an abundance of servers.
Having a wide range of servers is vital for a VPN provider, as if they have too little available for their user base then individual servers can become overloaded. When this happens, users are faced with much slower speeds, packet loss, increased latency, and other connection issues. The best VPN for Windows (and any other OS, for that matter), should have thousands of servers worldwide, so users have plenty of choice when wanting to bypass geo-restrictions and or ensuing fast and consistent speeds by connecting to a nearby server.
Security is another key factor to consider when deciding on a VPN for your Windows device. Your chosen provider needs to secure all user data with military-grade encryption to ensure that hackers and nosey third parties cannot access or intercept it. Some security features to look out for when deciding on a VPN include obfuscated servers, private DNS, and a kill switch.
Certain VPNs also come equipped with a built-in ad-blocker which can help you to avoid phishing attempts and minimises your device’s risk of becoming infected with malware. Not only this, ad-blocking technology can reduce page loading times and speed up your overall internet connection.
In addition to security, a trustworthy VPN for Windows should have strict privacy protocols in place. A no-logs policy is an absolute must-have and should never be overlooked when choosing a VPN. Simply put, a no-logs policy means the provider will never monitor, collect, or share user data. This includes bandwidth usage, IP addresses, timestamps, session usage, and browsing history.
Finally, the best VPNs for Windows will have a helpful 24/7 customer support team at hand to assist users at any time. As an added bonus, a great VPN will also have an extensive knowledge base that’s full of useful resources such as tutorials, guides, and tips.
Overall, the ideal VPN for Windows for you can depend on your specific needs, budget, and reason for using a VPN. If you intend to stream geo-blocked content, then you’ll want a VPN with fast connection speeds and a large network of servers. Alternatively, if you’re after a VPN for protection when online, then you should opt for a provider that secures data with military-grade encryption and offers advanced security protocols.
In our opinion, the best VPN for Windows will be well-rounded and offer a great selection of features, from an accessible client and knowledgeable customer support, to strict privacy and robust security protocols. If you want to find out more about VPNs, then take a look at our in-depth guide of useful VPN features in 2022!
Our top recommended VPNs for Windows in 2022
Still not sure which VPN to choose? We’ve thoroughly researched and tested reputable VPNs to narrow the choices down to just three providers. These VPNs all have exceptional performance, feature-rich plans, and full compatibility with Windows OS, making them fantastic options. So, let’s dive into the best VPNs for Windows in 2022 –
- NordVPN
NordVPN has been dominating the VPN market for a while now, and it’s clear to see why. This VPN has industry-leading connection speeds, strong security protocols, thousands of worldwide servers, and much more on offer, making it our top choice VPN for Windows.
The NordVPN Windows client is incredibly slick and has an interactive map interface, making it easy and enjoyable to use. Upon opening, users will see a clear ‘connect’ button that, when pressed, will connect them to the nearest (or fastest) server, highly simplifying the process of securing devices. With this VPN, there’s also the option of browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge.
NordVPN is supported on macOS, Android, iOS, and Linux in addition to Windows. Users can have up to 6 simultaneous connections under a single VPN account. (Top tip – you can connect your VPN to your home router to secure every device in the network using just a single device ‘slot’!)
For security and protection against online threats, NordVPN has got you covered. With next-generation AES 256-bit encryption, it’s almost impossible for hackers to decipher user data or perform brute-force attacks. This VPN also provides plenty of other security features including obfuscated servers, a kill switch, MFA, dedicated IP, and private DNS with leak protection. Additionally, NordVPN has a built-in ad-blocker, CyberSec, that prevents you from visiting malicious websites, shields you from third-party trackers, and blocks ads before they can even load.
Additionally, NordVPN has a yearly audited no-logs policy, proving that the provider never, under any circumstances, tracks or logs user data. This VPN is based in Panama, a country that has no data retention laws and is not a member of the Five Eyes or Fourteen Eyes intelligence sharing alliances. This means that NordVPN is not obligated to store logs or hand over sensitive user information.
Among other advantages, NordVPN is a great choice for users who want to stream geo-blocked content. This is due to the VPN having over 5200 servers across 60 countries. You can connect to one of the VPN’s super-fast servers and instantly unblock and stream content from around the world without any buffering. These fast speeds also mean that NordVPN is suitable for gamers who want to match in different servers without being impacted by high latency.
If you have any questions, then you can contact NordVPN’s 24/7 customer support team. Alternatively, you can take a look at the provider’s knowledge base for general information, FAQs, and tutorials. There’s even a section for Windows that informs you how to complete actions such as switching connection protocols, changing your DNS, and making system configuration adjustment.
Try out NordVPN* on your Windows device for free for 30-days using their money-back guarantee!
- ExpressVPN
With outstanding performance, a huge server network, and strict privacy protocols, ExpressVPN is another fantastic VPN for Windows. If you want to anonymous your browsing and stay protected against cyber threats, all without sacrificing any connection speeds, then look no further than this VPN.
ExpressVPN has thousands of servers spread across an incredible 94 countries, making it a great option for bypassing geo-restrictions. You won’t have to worry about buffering or lag either, as this VPN provides users with lightning-fast connection speeds.
The easy-to-navigate client can be downloaded on any Windows device as well as macOS, iOs, Android, and Linux devices. There are also browser extensions available for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. Users are allowed up to 5 simultaneous connections, which is generally more than enough for most people.
ExpressVPN uses advanced AES-256 encryption to encrypt user data and uses its pioneering VPN protocol, Lightway, to offer an even more secure VPN experience. This VPN provides a range of other security features including split tunnelling, private DNS, a kill switch, a threat manager, and innovative TrustedServer technology. Additionally, this VPN has a strict no-logs policy.
For any queries, ExpressVPN’s 24/7 customer support team will quickly respond with helpful replies. There is also an extensive support center that provides users with instructions, step-by-step guides, and even video tutorials. There’s even a good selection of Windows OS resources that can help you with the setup and usage of this VPN.
Try out ExpressVPN* on your Windows device for free for 30-days with their money-back guarantee!
- Surfshark
Surfshark is best known for its affordability, making it ideal for users that want to dive into the world of VPNs for the first time. Despite being low-cost, this VPN still boasts excellent performance and provides a handful of great features, which is why it’s one of our top recommended VPNs for Windows.
One of the main advantages of Surfshark is that it allows unlimited simultaneous connections, meaning that you can protect and stream from every single device in your household at no extra cost. The client is beginner-friendly and accessible with self-explanatory settings. In addition to Windows OS, Surfshark is fully compatible with macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux. There are also browser extensions available for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge.
Surfshark has an impressive 3200 servers in 65 countries, so you’ll have no trouble bypassing geo-restrictions. This VPN’s connection speeds are terrific, and you even have the choice between various protocols to improve your performance even more. Surfshark’s available protocols are WireGuard, IKEv2, and OpenVPN.
Even as an affordable attentive to the other VPNs we’ve mentioned, Surfshark still offers first-rate security features. As well as ES-256-GCM encryption, this VPN provides a NoBorders mode, private DNS with leak protection, a kill switch, and an ad-blocker. The built-in ad-blocker, CleanWeb, can drastically speed up your browsing speeds by blocking ads, trackers, and malware.
Surfshark has a no-logs policy that has been independently audited. Additionally, the VPN offers a camouflage mode and obfuscated servers for anonymity, as well as having RAM-only servers for improved privacy.
Feel free to get in touch with Surfshark’s 24/7 customer support team for any advice or fixes. You can also check out the VPN’s help center for troubleshooting, team tips, and comprehensive tutorials. For Windows-specific queries, there’s a range of helpful articles and FAQs.
Try out Surfshark* on your Windows device for free for 30-days with their money-back guarantee!