The best VPNs for Windows protect your privacy and security on your Windows 7, 8, 10 or 11 device.
VPN software encrypts your Internet connection and routes it through a remote server, which changes and hides your real IP address from third parties.
We put 20 VPNs through our testing and review process to identify the best free and premium VPNs for Windows.
What is the best free VPN for Windows PC in 2023?
The best free VPNs for Windows laptops and desktops are:
- Windscribe (free version) : Overall the best free VPN for Windows
- Proton VPN (free version) : The best free VPN for Windows with unlimited data
- Hide.me (free version) : The most private free VPN for Windows
The best free VPN for Windows desktops and laptops in 2023 is Windscribe . It delivers secure connections, offers access to 11 server locations worldwide, and unblocks several popular streaming sites. However, data usage is limited to 10 GB per month.
The problem with free VPNs is that they are often limited by a restricted server network, lack of unblocking capabilities, or data usage caps.
Upgrading to a premium VPN gives you access to a much larger and faster server network, advanced security features, efficient unblocking, and unlimited data.
Also Read: Top 100 ChatGPT Prompts
What is the best VPN for Windows in 2023?
Our tests reveal that the best VPNs available for Windows PCs are:
- ExpressVPN : Overall the best VPN for Windows
- NordVPN : The Best VPN for Windows for Security
- PIA VPN : The most confidential VPN for Windows
The best Windows VPN in 2023 is ExpressVPN , which scored 9.6/10 in our Windows-specific tests. The VPN's reliable, intuitive and comprehensive PC app outperformed all other VPNs in most of our test categories. The VPN stands out for its excellent network speeds, as well as its unblocking and anonymous file sharing capabilities.
We tested these VPN services on Windows XP, 7, 8, 10 and 11, as well as all additional VPN extensions on the Microsoft Edge browser.
All the VPNs we recommend are fast, secure, easy to use, and fully optimized for all Windows devices.
Comparison of the best VPNs for Windows
Use the table below to compare the best VPN clients for Windows based on compatibility , logging policy , price , and more:
These VPNs are easy to set up on Windows devices and work great on desktops, laptops, and even the Microsoft Surface.
Why trust Top10VPN.com?
We've spent thousands of hours testing and reviewing Windows VPNs using our Windows VPN review process to recommend the best ones.
Here's a look at our Windows VPN testing stats:
| VPN clients for Windows tested | 28 |
| Windows versions tested | 11, 10, 8 and 7 |
| Test devices | Lenovo T480 and Lenovo T480s |
| Total number of testing hours | +30,000 |
| Weekly Speed Tests | +3,000 |
| IP and DNS Leak Testing | +9,500 |
Analysis of the best free VPNs for Windows
1 . Windscribe (free version): Best free VPN for Windows
Excellent VPN for Windows that unblocks streaming services on its free servers.
The free version of Windscribe is the best free VPN for Windows and an overall top free VPN for 2023.
The free version of Windscribe works like a premium VPN service. It is capable of unblocking Netflix, torrenting large files quickly, and bypassing censorship in China.
Intuitive and well-designed Windows application
The free version of Windscribe is one of the easiest applications to use on Windows thanks to its simple and compact design.
Everything you need is in the main menu of the application. Click the power button to start your VPN connection and activate your kill switch by toggling the widget – there's no need to go into settings.
The free version of Windscribe concentrates all of its most essential features in the main menu.
More experienced users can select the hamburger menu in the corner for advanced features, including custom DNS and split tunneling. It is also possible to switch between a windowed application and a docked application to better adapt Windscribe to your Windows environment.
Browsing the server is also made easier with the inclusion of a built-in search bar and favorites list.
We did, however, find it difficult to read some text and UI elements in the app, especially tooltips. We would like to be able to resize the Windows application to alleviate this problem.
Protocol selection is also difficult to manage in the application. You have to manually select the port number for the appropriate VPN protocol, which is not easy if you are an inexperienced user.
Windscribe integrates seamlessly with the Windows ecosystem
The installation process is simple on Windows. Download the client directly from the Windscribe website, then create an account – no payment details required.
The app is great for optimizing Windows performance and consumes the least RAM of any VPN we've tested. Windscribe's memory consumption remained below 32MB of RAM while torrenting a 1GB file on its free UK server.
Windscribe also supports the default Windows browser, Microsoft Edge, by providing a custom VPN extension.
It's one of the best Microsoft Edge extensions available, allowing you to connect to 11 different server locations as well as block ads, trackers, and WebRTC leaks.
It is also completely free to use and does not require the creation of an account.
Most VPN services don't support a Microsoft Edge extension, let alone make it completely free like Windscribe.
The Best Free Windows VPN for Streaming
The free version of Windscribe is the only free VPN that unblocks multiple Netflix , HBO Max and BBC iPlayer catalogs .
Using Windscribe with Netflix, we were able to unblock 6 Netflix catalogs, including Netflix UK.
You can also use Windscribe to unblock Amazon Prime Video on its free US servers.
In our streaming tests, we were able to unblock Netflix UK in 4K quality using Windscribe's free UK server. Our streaming never buffered or deteriorated in quality when connected to the VPN.
Windscribe also supports unlimited simultaneous connections, meaning you can use your free account to stream content across a range of devices.
The only downside is Windscribe's 10GB monthly data limit. While this might be sufficient if you just plan to let it run in the background while you browse daily, it limits you to around 90 minutes of 4K Netflix streaming on the desktop.
You can alleviate this problem by selecting " Tweet 4 Data " in your Windscribe account, increasing your allocation to 15 GB.
Who is the free version of Windscribe for?
You should use the free version of Windscribe if:
- You want a free VPN that unblocks streaming sites. The free version of Windscribe unlocks 6 Netflix, HBO Max and BBC iPlayer catalogs.
- You want to optimize Windows performance. Windscribe uses the least RAM of any VPN we tested on Windows.
You should not use the free version of Windscribe if:
- You want access to a large network of servers. The free version of Windscribe is limited to only 11 server locations.
- You want to benefit from unrestricted streaming and torrenting. The free version of Windscribe limits its service with a monthly data cap of 10 GB.
Visit Windscribeor read our full Windscribe VPN review .
2 . Proton VPN (Free Version): Best Free PC VPN for Unlimited Data
A great free Windows VPN with no data restrictions.
The free version of Proton VPN is a great choice for Windows. It's fast, secure and it's a truly free service that isn't limited by a data cap.
Secure and free app designed for Windows
When you run the free version of Proton VPN for the first time on Windows, you are given the opportunity to take a guided tour of the application's main features. We found this useful and informative.
You can choose between a docked and undocked application to tailor the free version of Proton VPN to the way you use Windows.
Proton VPN free version Windows app.
Your traffic is encrypted using AES-256 encryption and protected by a VPN kill switch.
There's also built-in IPv6 leak protection , a feature unique to the Windows app in the free version of Proton.
Split tunneling and custom DNS allow you to further tailor the VPN to your needs, both of which are only available on the Windows app.
However, we weren't impressed with the impact the free version of Proton VPN had on our Windows system's performance. Proton VPN used an average of 123 MB of memory while operating, a 51% increase compared to using ExpressVPN.
We would also like to see a Microsoft Edge extension introduced to fully satisfy Windows users.
Unlimited data, but no streaming or torrenting
Unlike most free VPNs, the free version of Proton VPN does not come with a data cap. You can use the app on Windows without any bandwidth or data limitations .
Unfortunately, you can't make the most of its unlimited data because the free version of Proton VPN blocks high-bandwidth activities. This is intended to encourage users to sign up for the premium service.
The VPN cannot unblock any content from the Netflix catalog or other streaming sites. This includes HBO Max, BBC iPlayer and Disney+.
Torrenting won't work either – P2P traffic is blocked on all servers in the free version of Proton VPN.
Small server network
Using a free VPN inevitably involves some compromises.
In addition to the lack of streaming and torrenting access, the free version of Proton VPN has a smaller server network than the paid version.
There are only 200 servers located in three countries: the United States, the Netherlands and Japan.
Unless you are located near one of these countries, you are likely to experience slow download speeds when using the service.
We also experienced long loading times when connecting to free US servers. In some cases we couldn't even establish a connection.
Additionally, you will not have access to Proton VPN's Secure Core servers which are reserved for the premium version.
Who is the free version of Proton VPN for?
You should use the free version of Proton VPN if:
- You want unlimited data . The free version of Proton VPN has no data caps or bandwidth restrictions on your connection.
- You want secure online connections . The Proton VPN free version's suite of security features includes IPv6 leak protection and a reliable kill switch.
You should not use the free version of Proton VPN if:
- You want to stream or torrent . The free Proton VPN version blocks torrenting on its servers and cannot access streaming services.
- You need a VPN browser extension . The Proton VPN free version does not provide any browser extensions, including for Microsoft Edge.
Visit Proton VPNor read our full Proton VPN review .
3 . Hide.me (free version): The most private free VPN for Windows
An intuitive free VPN with unique privacy features and settings for Windows.
The free version of Hide.me is a confidential service that relies on a secure logging policy and robust security features.
However, it lacks the unlimited data of Proton VPN and the streaming performance of Windscribe.
Intuitive Windows application
You can use the free version of Hide.me straight away on Windows – you don't need to create an account or provide payment details.
The app uses an easy-to-read blue and white color scheme with a simple, clean user interface.
It's easy to use, just click the "Enable VPN" button in the main menu to start your VPN connection.
There's also a support tab that lets you send diagnostic reports, within the app, as well as a message detailing your issue. This level of technical support is exceptional for a free VPN service.
You can also protect your connection with the fallback protocol in the free version of Hide.me. This is a Windows-exclusive feature that allows you to assign a backup VPN protocol if the one in use fails for some reason.
We don't like the number of paid features on the Windows app. You cannot use Hide.me's fast 10Gbps servers or its streaming-optimized servers. This was reflected in the low performance of the free version of Hide.me during our streaming tests, failing to unblock a single platform .
Ideal for private torrenting
Unlike most free VPN services, P2P activity is allowed on all servers in the free version of Hide.Me.
The service only records minimal connection data which is then deleted after a few hours . This ensures that your torrenting activity remains private even if Hide.me transfers its servers.
The free Windows app has a reliable VPN kill switch, an absolute necessity for torrenting enthusiasts.
The free version of Hide.me VPN also comes with an exclusive “ Stealth Guard” feature that allows you to block specific apps from working unless you are connected to a VPN. We recommend designating your favorite torrent client to add an extra layer of security.
We were disappointed, however, by the slow torrenting speeds of the free version of Hide.me. We recorded an average throughput of 4.5 MB/s – a poor result compared to the 10 MB/s recorded without a VPN.
Paired with a 10GB monthly data allowance, we can't recommend the free version of Hide.me for regular torrenting of large files. For casual torrenting, however, the free version of Hide.me is still a great choice that guarantees your anonymity online.
Who is the free version of Hide.me for?
You should use the free version of Hide.me if:
- You want a VPN that's easy to use . Both the Hide.me VPN app and its Microsoft Edge extension are simple and intuitive to use.
- You wish to preserve the confidentiality of your personal data . Hide.me records a small amount of login data which is then deleted after a few hours – this is backed by third-party audits.
You should not use the free version of Hide.me if:
- You need a VPN with advanced features . The free version of Hide.me only covers the basics to encourage users to upgrade to the premium version.
- You want a VPN for regular torrenting . The free version of Hide.me is too slow for large file downloads with an average throughput of 4.5MiB/s.
Visit Hide.meor read our full Hide.me review .
Detailed list of the best Windows VPNs
1 . ExpressVPN: Overall the best VPN for Windows
The best, complete and highly secure VPN for Windows 10 and 11.
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Windows thanks to its secure, intuitive, and feature-rich native app.
ExpressVPN's native Windows app offers fast download speeds plus unblocking for all major streaming services.
A highly secure and intuitive Windows application
ExpressVPN is one of the easiest VPNs to use on Windows 10 and 11 . The app is sleek and minimalist, avoiding the cluttered menus of its competitors
Specialized servers, such as scrambled and streaming-optimized servers, are integrated into ExpressVPN's servers by default, simplifying the user experience.
ExpressVPN's Windows client is well-designed and intuitive.
Connect to a VPN server by clicking the central power button – the app will change from red to green to indicate a successful connection.
The Windows app is easy to navigate and offers a variety of options for setting up your VPN connection. One of them, split tunneling, is a Microsoft-exclusive feature that lets you specify which applications enter the VPN tunnel.
ExpressVPN encrypts your internet traffic using unbreakable AES-256 encryption and industry-standard OpenVPN protocols. Its own protocol, Lightway , is not yet fully optimized for Windows, but we still recorded impressive connection speeds using it.
The VPN is also equipped with IP leak protection , a reliable kill switch ( Network Lock ) , and first-party DNS servers .
ExpressVPN is optimized for Windows
ExpressVPN is the most efficient paid VPN we've tested on Windows , barely consuming our system memory or CPU.
ExpressVPN will not affect your system performance on Windows.
In our tests, ExpressVPN used less than 1% of our CPU and only 43MB of RAM . It was second only to Windscribe, making ExpressVPN one of the best VPNs for Windows performance optimization.
This means you can use ExpressVPN while performing CPU-intensive activities, like torrenting and online gaming, without slowing down your Windows device.
ExpressVPN is also the best VPN extension for Microsoft Edge . The browser extension's functionality is almost identical to the full VPN, including its encryption, server network, and advanced features.
Optimized for streaming and torrenting on Windows
ExpressVPN is the best service for unrestricted streaming with Windows 10 and 11.
You can unblock 10 international Netflix catalogs on Windows using ExpressVPN, including Netflix USA.
ExpressVPN also unblocks popular content platforms like HBO, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ and more.
All of ExpressVPN's 3,000 servers on Windows allow torrenting without any speed or data limits.
You can safely use ExpressVPN for torrenting on Windows, thanks to a working kill switch and a fast average throughput of 9.4MiB/s.
Fast Speeds on Windows with Lightway Protocol
In addition to being as secure as other established protocols, Lightway is the fastest available for ExpressVPN on Windows.
ExpressVPN's Lightway protocol excelled in our Windows 10 speed tests.
We test ExpressVPN speeds weekly on Windows 10 and Windows 11 devices to verify that it meets the requirements for 4K streaming , lag-free gaming , and fast torrent downloads .
ExpressVPN remains one of our fastest VPNs , excelling on international connections, with an average speed loss of just 85Mbps across our eight international test locations. ExpressVPN is also the best VPN for Android .
Who is ExpressVPN for?
You should use ExpressVPN if:
- You want a VPN for streaming . ExpressVPN excels at streaming, unblocking 10 Netflix, HBO Max and Amazon Prime Video catalogs.
- You want a VPN optimized for Windows . ExpressVPN's Windows app and its Microsoft Edge extension are the best we've tested.
You should not use ExpressVPN if:
- You have a tight budget . As a premier VPN service, ExpressVPN costs €6.31 per month over 15 months. This is more than its competitors.
- You want a VPN that blocks third-party trackers . ExpressVPN's proprietary tracker blocker, Threat Manager , is not yet available on its Windows app.
2 . NordVPN: The Best Windows VPN for Security
The safest VPN available, optimized for all versions of Windows.
NordVPN is a great choice for Windows 10 and 11, offering an easy-to-use Windows app , affordable pricing , and fast download speeds across a global network of servers .
NordVPN is designed for Windows
The Windows app is usually the flagship of any VPN service and NordVPN is no different, offering its best VPN app on Windows .
The most complete NordVPN application is on Windows.
Windows is the only platform that allows you to use NordVPN's dedicated IP , obfuscated servers , and Onion over VPN with the NordLynx protocol.
With other platforms, you're limited to using these features with the much slower OpenVPN protocol, limiting your flexibility and connection speeds.
Likewise, NordVPN's split tunneling and full Threat Protection feature are for Windows only.
NordVPN has one of the best VPN kill switches we've tested, allowing you to choose between a system-level kill switch and an application-level kill switch.
This level of configuration is not available on any other platform.
NordVPN's advanced software comes at a cost, however. It requires an average of 180 MB of RAM , which can slow down your Windows if you use the VPN at the same time as memory-intensive tasks.
The main menu is cluttered with all of NordVPN's extra features, which can be intimidating for inexperienced users. The option to hide specialized servers would be a welcome addition to streamline the user interface.
Excellent for torrenting and streaming
If you want to stream international content on Windows, then NordVPN is a great choice.
With an average speed loss of just 10% when connecting to London from New York, NordVPN guarantees HD and 4K streaming without any buffering.
You can use NordVPN to systematically unblock Netflix USA on Windows.
NordVPN can unblock 12 Netflix catalogs and was found to be the best VPN for unblocking BBC iPlayer in our tests.
It is also the most effective VPN for bypassing Hulu VPN blocks.
NordVPN's verified no-logging policy, P2P-optimized servers, and reliable kill switch also make it a solid choice for secure torrenting.
Lack of audited logging and jurisdiction of Panama
NordVPN has been audited by an external security company. Everything stated in its logging policy has been verified to be true.
In other words, NordVPN doesn't record anything you do online when using its service.
Additionally, NordVPN is based in Panama, which has no ties or obligations to surveillance outfits such as the Five Eyes Alliance or the NSA.
Although it suffered from a server breach in 2018, as covered in our NordVPN review , NordVPN has since overhauled its infrastructure.
NordVPN is now more secure than ever using 256-bit AES encryption , diskless RAM servers , and first-party DNS servers .
Its Microsoft Edge extension is also secure, encrypting browser traffic with TLS v1.3 .
Who is NordVPN for?
You should use NordVPN if:
- You want a fast VPN. NordVPN is one of the fastest VPNs on Windows, recording a local download speed loss of just 5%.
- You want a complete Windows VPN . You can only access all of NordVPN's security features on its Windows app.
You should not use NordVPN if:
- You want to optimize the performance of your Windows system. NordVPN uses an average of 180 MB of RAM – more than its competitors.
- You want to pay with PayPal . NordVPN no longer accepts PayPal payments and replaces them with Adyen.
Visit NordVPNor read our full NordVPN review .
3 . PIA VPN: The Best Windows VPN for Privacy
A fast, private and secure VPN optimized for anonymous torrenting on Windows.
Private Internet Access is a great VPN for Windows users, especially if you want to secure and anonymize your torrenting.
However, it only supports Windows 8.1, 10 and 11, so choose another option if you are using Windows 7.
A perfect logging policy, despite its poor jurisdiction
First of all, you can trust PIA to keep your browsing data private .
The service's logging policy is one of our favorites and applies to all users, whether they are on Windows or any other operating system.
PIA VPN does not record any personally identifiable data. It barely records any anonymous data, as the only thing it collects is very high-level aggregated usage figures.
This no-logging policy makes up for its terrible choice of jurisdiction. PIA is based in the United States, one of the main members of the Five Eyes intelligence sharing alliance .
The US government can, in theory, pressure VPN services to hand over their users' data. However, PIA does not collect any user data, which has been proven in court cases.
The best VPN for torrent lovers
PIA's excellent speeds, secure logging policy, and advanced features make it the best VPN for torrenting on Windows.
PIA downloads torrents faster than its competitors - including NordVPN.
We recorded an average download throughput of 9.6MiB/s using PIA, compared to 10.0MiB/s when not using a VPN – a barely noticeable difference.
The service also has an effective VPN kill switch, and free port forwarding to make your torrent client even faster.
PIA barely affected the performance of our Windows system.
PIA isn't as efficient as ExpressVPN, but an average memory usage of less than 100MB is still impressive, especially when connected to a VPN server.
Torrenting consumes a lot of your Windows computer's CPU and memory, so PIA's lightweight performance is ideal for torrenting.
PIA's Windows app is not suitable for beginners
The Private Internet Access Windows program is packed with advanced security features.
PIA's home screen is simple, but its options menu is complex.
You can choose between the secure OpenVPN protocol and the even faster WireGuard protocol, use custom DNS (including PIA's private DNS servers), and use split tunneling to pipe specific programs outside the VPN tunnel.
It also has PIA Mace – a surprisingly effective ad blocker and VPN tracker.
However, PIA's Windows app isn't as smooth or intuitive as ExpressVPN's. In fact, VPN may be too advanced for users new to VPN services.
Who is Private Internet Access for?
You should use PIA if:
- You want to torrent on Windows . PIA's fast average throughput, no-logging policy, and port forwarding support are ideal for torrenting.
- You want an affordable premium VPN . At €2.07 per month over two years, PIA offers excellent value for money.
You should not use PIA if:
- You've never used a VPN before . PIA's advanced features and customization options can be difficult to understand for VPN newbies.
- You want a VPN for streaming . Although PIA has improved in recent streaming tests, it previously struggled with Netflix. It's not great compared to its competitors.
Other Windows VPNs we reviewed
Being the go-to platform for VPNs, we've reviewed 20 VPN services for Windows.
Many of these providers are extremely popular, with millions of downloads, but lack the necessary guarantees and features to be considered top-rated Windows VPNs.
We've listed five of the most popular VPNs that don't meet our requirements below:
CyberGhost
Overall rating: 9.0/10
What we don't like: CyberGhost is a great service, but its download speeds are too inconsistent for it to be considered a top Windows VPN. Additionally, its slow bitrate for torrenting needs improvement.
Atlas VPN
Overall rating: 6.5/10
What we don't like: Atlas VPN is not very intuitive on Windows: the application cannot be resized and the server list is random.
The free version does not match the recommendations on this page, due to a 5GB data cap.
PureVPN
Overall rating: 6.9/10
What we don't like: PureVPN can't unblock Netflix USA or Amazon Prime Video and its kill switch is broken. Its logging policy also needs to be improved.
TunnelBear
Overall rating: 5.7/10
What we don't like:
TunnelBear's limited server network and poor streaming performance can't compete with the best VPNs for Windows.
The free version of TunnelBear is also a poor choice, with a restrictive data limit of 500MB.
Not all of the VPNs above have the quality, consistency, and features we expect from premium VPNs. Instead, try one of the paid VPNs for Windows we recommend.
Free and dangerous Windows VPNs to avoid
Apart from a few reputable exceptions, free VPNs are not safe and should not be installed.
To compensate for the lack of paying subscribers, free VPNs make money in other ways.
Among other things, they collect user data to sell to third parties, allow in-app advertisements and infect your Windows with malware.
Free VPNs often lack the security features and infrastructure of paid VPNs due to their lack of investment. This can result in slow speeds, IP leaks, restrictive data caps, and limited server choices.
Below are some popular free VPNs for Windows that are too dangerous to use.
Turbo VPN
Overall rating: 2.2/10
What we don't like : Turbo VPN is horrible for security and privacy. It doesn't have a kill switch, and our investigation into free VPN ownership reveals troubling ties to China.
It also prohibits torrenting, only covers three server locations on Windows, and cannot unblock streaming platforms.
Avira Phantom VPN
Overall rating: 4.7/10
What we don't like : Avira Phantom is limited by a 1GB monthly data cap and can't unblock streaming content on desktop.
It also does not have a kill switch, an essential element when it comes to security.
TouchVPN
Overall rating: 3.1/10
What we don't like : Our Touch VPN review found that the Windows app can't load web pages – the VPN connection drops every time.
The Windows app doesn't have a kill switch or advanced features, and it leaks your DNS queries.
Touch VPN is extremely dangerous.
Avoid the dangerous free VPNs listed above and instead consider using one of our top-rated free VPNs for Windows.
How we test VPNs for Windows
We tested over 20 VPN services to determine the best VPNs for Windows users.
Our tests are performed on Windows 10 and Windows 11 devices to properly evaluate the performance of each VPN on different iterations of Windows.
For Windows VPNs in particular, we test:
- The ease of use of the Windows application.
- The amount of CPU and memory used by the application on Windows.
- Generous data allowance.
- Whether identifiable logs are kept.
- Connection speeds over short and long distances.
- The ability to unblock geo-restricted streaming catalogs.
- Whether secure and anonymous torrenting is allowed.
To make our recommendations, we test each VPN in six different categories, giving each one a score out of 10. We then combine these scores to calculate an overall score for Windows.
In the table below, we summarize the performance of the top-rated VPNs in each category, as well as their overall rating:
Here's the full list of categories we test to identify the best VPNs for Windows, along with their share of the overall rating:
1. Windows app: 30%
Minimum requirements: A native client for Windows, with basic customization options and a working kill switch.
We recommend: An easy-to-use application, optimized for Windows and with many advanced features.
The Windows application is normally the best designed and most comprehensive of a VPN service.
As such, we expect to see the widest range of protocols, largest network of servers, and most advanced features on Windows.
But this should not come at the expense of ease of use. We reward VPNs with simple setup processes and intuitive apps that can be used regardless of skill level. This includes options to adjust the size of the Windows app, pin and unpin it to the system tray, and toggle between light and dark modes.
We also want the VPN to strike a balance between performance and functionality on Windows. A well-designed Windows VPN should be optimized for the operating system and consume only a minimal amount of CPU and memory.
Finally, we take into account the VPN's compatibility with Windows. VPNs that provide a native Windows app and browser extension for Microsoft Edge are ranked higher.
2. Privacy and Logging Policy: 20%
Minimum requirements: Anonymized or aggregated logs.
We recommend: No logs kept, verified by a third party.
A privacy and no-logs policy is essential to prevent your online activity from becoming identifiable.
Using a VPN is useless if the service logs private and revealing information such as timestamp and URLs visited.
Any VPNs that log identifiable or unnecessary amounts of data have been excluded from this lift by default.
During our testing, we review each VPN's privacy policy. We then record all the information it collects, how long it is stored and why it is collected.
As part of this process, we also reward VPNs that make an effort to present their logging policies clearly and succinctly.
We also like VPN services that have participated in a third-party audit. This is an external agency that verifies a VPN's logging policy claims. Regularly carrying out these audits is an important sign of reliability for a VPN.
We only recommend Windows VPNs that log minimal, anonymous usage data or, better yet, log nothing at all.
3. Speed: 20%
Minimum conditions: Less than 40% speed loss on local connections.
We recommend: Less than 20% speed loss on local connections and 40% on remote connections.
Using a VPN will always slow down your connection speed, but the best VPNs for Windows minimize this impact as much as possible.
To identify the fastest VPNs for Windows, we run manual speed tests on a weekly basis while connected to a dedicated 100 Mbps connection.
All tests are performed on our Lenovo T480s running Windows 10.
We test each VPN by connecting to servers in five regions: local (UK), US, Central Europe, Australia, and Singapore.
From these results, we calculate an average speed loss and give the VPN a score out of 10.
For a top-rated Windows VPN, you shouldn't expect a speed loss of more than 20% on local connections and 40% on international connections.
4. Streaming: 20%
Minimum requirements: Works with Netflix USA and UK.
We recommend: Works with Netflix USA, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video and Hulu.
As the most popular platform, Windows VPNs often have multiple users connected at the same time.
This allows streaming services to easily identify and block IP addresses associated with the VPN's server.
To determine which Windows VPNs work with streaming platforms, we test each VPN weekly on our Lenovo T480s.
This includes connecting to different servers in the same location to identify the best one to unblock geo-restrictions.
Once a VPN has successfully accessed a streaming service for four consecutive weeks, we update our review accordingly. This is to avoid false positives or abnormal results.
We also consider streaming quality, possible buffering issues, and whether the VPN service offers streaming-optimized servers.
The best Windows VPNs will unblock multiple Netflix, HBO Max, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+ catalogs. The worst won't have access to a single streaming service.
5. Torrenting: 10%
Minimum Requirements: Allows P2P activity on some servers and a minimum logs policy.
We recommend: Allows torrenting on all servers, with a working kill switch, fast throughput and a no-logs policy.
We apply the same internal methodology to every Windows VPN we review to calculate its torrenting score.
First, we measure the VPN's P2P speed by torrenting a 1GB file while connected to a local VPN server. This gives us an average throughput for the VPN.
All P2P speed tests are performed using the qBittorent client on our Lenovo T480s.
Throughout the process, our test device is connected to a dedicated 100 Mbps connection to eliminate possible speed fluctuations.
We also take into consideration the VPN's data collection practices and its policy towards P2P activity in general.
VPNs are also rewarded for serving P2P-optimized servers as well as all the advanced torrenting features like port forwarding support.
Torrenting itself can use up to 10% of Windows CPU. The best Windows VPNs mitigate this by optimizing Windows performance.
Data cap penalty: Up to 50% off
Freemium VPNs almost always impose a data cap on their free users. As with most restrictions on free VPNs, this is intended to encourage customers to upgrade to a paid subscription.
A generous data allowance is vital to accommodate data-intensive activities, such as 4K streaming, torrenting, and online gaming.
If you use your data cap, your online activity will not be encrypted and will be visible to third parties, including your Internet service provider.
We apply a penalty to the VPN's final overall rating for Windows based on its data cap:
- 10 GB per month: -20% on the overall rating
- 500 MB per day: -25% on the overall rating
- 5 GB per month: -30% on the overall rating
- 1 GB per month: -35% on the overall rating
- 500 MB per month: -50% on the overall rating
Additional Test Criteria
In addition to our six key testing categories, we consider several additional factors to determine the best Windows VPN.
All the VPNs we recommend in this list are secure and use strong encryption levels. We automatically exclude any VPNs that do not use reliable forms of encryption or are known for leaking personal data.
At a minimum, we expect each VPN to tunnel traffic using AES-256 encryption and OpenVPN protocols . The best Windows VPNs also come equipped with IP and DNS leak protection , a kill switch , and their own DNS servers . All these measures guarantee your anonymity and security online.
We also look for VPNs that guarantee a smooth user experience. VPNs that use ads or pop-ups and key paywall features are all penalized. This is not only a barrier to use, but also a risk to your privacy, as VPN services can sell your personal data to third-party advertisers.
All Windows VPNs on this list don't use ads , sell your data , or log identifiable information .
Finally, we consider the quality and availability of a VPN's customer support. At a minimum, we expect a VPN to provide access to a support agent, whether through email, a ticketing system, or a live chat function.
We also evaluate how quickly the service responds, whether the information provided is correct, and whether the answer to our question is adequate. All of the Windows VPNs we recommend offer multiple avenues of support and have an excellent track record of resolving user issues.
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