In this guide, we will try our best to explore the absolute best VPN services for the Windows 10 platform (normally referred to as the desktop personal computer).
Later in the guide, we will mention a 2-minute setup guide on how to use a VPN service with Windows 10.
There is no denying the fact that the monopoly which Microsoft once enjoyed in the operating systems and computer software industry has proven itself very advantages to the general population.
That ‘mass’ allowed technology companies such as Microsoft to provide users with the most comprehensive operating system in existence.
Some think the main reason why Windows is the most popular and widely used operating system for desktop computers is because Microsoft is so big.
In fact, some believe that online consumers have actually become spoilt for choice.
And they have set even higher standards for VPN services that they may use to protect their desktop computer machine.
In this special guide, we will also describe some of the best VPN service providers in terms if quality which can provide users with the best security and privacy that they need in order to their mind at peace.
We will also show users the easiest how-to guide on installing VPN services on various different versions of the Windows operating system.
Table of Contents
Best VPNs for Windows 10
- IPVanish
- NordVPN
- PureVPN
- Buffered VPN
- Ivacy
- VyprVPN
- Hotspot
- VPNArea
- PrivateVPN
- CyberGhost
- ExpressVPN
For clarity’s sake, it is highly likely that the majority of online users would require a VPN service for their macOS machines along with Android and Windows machines.
However, this guide will focus on the best VPNs for Windows.
With that out of the way, here are the best VPN apps for the Windows 10 platform with their pros and cons.
1. IPVanish
IPVanish may not be the fastest VPN service in the market.
It may even not provide the insane-level of protection that NordVPN does.
But it is the most well-rounded VPN service of all.
Users who want to overcome various cyber attacks which occur pretty much consistently after every four or five months across the world of the internet, should give IPVanish a look.
Why do we say that?
We say that because it is the one VPN service that offers users a simple and reputable solution for complete internet privacy.
Think of it, as having all the best tools in one nice, simple and sweet little box.
IPVanish takes advantage of the best encryption for its VPN connection and offers over 1000 VPN servers.
All the good stuff that the user might have seen on the internet but only for a short while because of geo-restrictions is easily unblocked by VPN services such as IPVanish.
It allows users to do so much more than just surf the internet in peace.
New subscription packages mean that IPVanish now offers users a total of 10 simultaneous devices per user account.
Given that users can do that with just one subscription package, puts IPVanish way ahead of the competition at the moment.
Then there is the thing about IPVanish offering that it offers users around 40,000 unique and secure IP addresses to choose from.
If that isn’t enough to deserve a place right at the top of the VPN mountain, then we don’t know what.
In short, IPVanish is the overall best VPN for Windows 10.
Click here for a full review of IPVanish on our site.
to purchase IPVanish from the official website and at a discount.
Pros
- AES 256-bit encryption.
- Seven-day money back guarantee.
- Five simultaneous connections allowed.
- Can unblock apps and websites that have geo-restrictions on them.
- Anonymous torrenting.
Cons
- The VPN service has its headquarters in the United States of America.
NordVPN
Readers who are short on time and want to know the best VPN for Windows 10 should stop reading here and choose NordVPN.
Yes.
That’s how good NordVPN really is.
NordVPN is the best VPN for Windows 10 in the sense that it gives the user all the control that he/she needs in order to browse the world of the internet and that too with comprehensive freedom.
NordVPN still insists that users on the Windows 10 platform cannot achieve complete safety without the use of a premium and high-quality Windows VPN service.
The company claims that it is that high-quality and premium VPN service.
It keeps the users safe in the online world and keeps their activities fairly private.
NordVPN offers users the double VPN feature which can really make life a bit like hell (subjectively speaking) for potential bad actors such as cybercriminals and hackers.
They are more likely to have nightmares when thinking about intercepting the user’s confidential information in order to later use if for their own nefarious purposes.
This, along with all the reasons mentioned before, is the reason why we consider NordVPN has the best VPN for Windows 10 PC.
In order to read more on NordVPN on the Windows 10 platform, users should click here for our full NordVPN review.
to sign up for NordVPN from the official website at a discount right now.Pros
- DNS leak protection
- Provides complete protection for the user’s IP address.
- Comes with a strict no-logs official policy.
- It encrypts the user’s internet traffic with utmost competence.
- It shields the user from various intrusive advertisements.
Cons
- The internet speed is not as consistent as some of the other VPN service providers on the market today.
- Slightly expensive when compared to what’s on offer in the market today.
PureVPN
Our research shows that PureVPN is the fastest VPN service available on planet earth right now.
That is supposed to count for something right?
Great.
Moving forward.
VPN experts consider PureVPN as a perfect fit VPN service for all types of online users.
Therefore, it is not only the fastest VPN service in the world but it is also one of the best VPN in the world for all major platforms including the likes of Windows 10 and other ones.
The reason for that is simple enough.
The company has made the process of setting up the application for all internet-enabled devices very easy.
That intuitiveness is something that has attracted a lot of customers to it.
On the other hand, PureVPN also tries to increase its lead over competitors by offering VPN servers located in well over 140 countries.
Right now, PureVPN boasts over a million satisfied online consumers.
In other words, a ton of people now rely on PureVPN in order to keep their online activity a lot safer than what they would have with other VPN service providers.
Readers who would like more information on PureVPN should click here to read the full PureVPN review.
Pros
- Complete and comprehensive online security.
- 99 percent service uptime.
- 2000 plus VPN servers
- Unlimited online data transfer.
- A working split-tunneling feature
- Fast and consistent VPN server speeds.
Cons
- Its ad-block feature is only available on a single web browser by the name of Google Chrome.
ExpressVPN
Our research shows that ExpressVPN is every bit as a good VPN for Windows PC as any.
ExpressVPN has done more than enough for customers and for the industry, in a way, to merit trust and reputation.
In fact, ExpressVPN is considered as the leader in the VPN industry as far as trust is concerned.
As far as the question of best Windows VPN is concerned, there really is no better alternative to ExpressVPN.
In other words, ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Windows because it can provide users full access to any and all content available on the web.
It doesn’t matter if the user wants to use the web for torrenting or for watching Live TV irrespective of borders and/or accessing US Netflix.
ExpressVPN takes care of everything.
To read more about ExpressVPN click here for our full ExpressVPN review.
Pros
- Offshore protection for the user’s privacy
- Unblocks all websites
- Encrypts internet traffic
- Supports all major VPN protocols
- Works on a zero-knowledge DNS
Cons
- Connects up to a total of three internet-enabled devices per user.
Ivacy
The developers behind Ivacy have designed the VPN app in a way that it perfectly fills the bill as far as the best VPN for Windows is concerned.
It gives users a simple and honest solution for a total of four diversified needs.
These needs come in the form of,
- torrenting anonymously
- data security
- protection from third-party company spying activities
- streaming online content from any site.
Click here to read our full Ivacy review.
Pros
- Kodi device compatibility.
- AES 256-bit powerful encryption.
- Customer service available for 24 hours.
- Unlimited bandwidth and downloads
- Does not record any logs which could hurt user privacy.
Cons
- Lack of free trial
- The refund policy is lacking which has left some customers unsatisfied.
VyprVPN
The company behind VyprVPN, Golden Frog, is based in data-neutral Switzerland.
Many in the security community know Switzerland as the home of privacy-friendly data collection policies.
It is one of the VPN services for Windows 10 that have kept up the pace with the competition by offering users a high-quality VPN service.
The company offers users over 700+ VPN servers which serve a total of 200,000+ IP addresses spread globally.
When the user’s internet service provider throttles his/her connection via limiting the internet speed, VPN services like VyprVPN can just move in and then just defeat them.
With that said, it is true that VyprVPN is actually not as fast as some of the other VPN service providers on the list that we have mentioned above.
However, that does not make it a bad VPN service.
As mentioned before, our research shows that it is one of the best VPN services available and probably miles ahead of anything that the industry has to offer on average.
Click here for our full VyprVPN review
Pros
- AES 256-bit strong encryption
- Multiple VPN protocols
- zero-knowledge secure DNS
- Works with US Netflix
- Can prevent throttling
- Over 700 VPN servers
- Over 200,000 IP addresses across the globe
Cons
- Does not offer features such as ad-blocking.
- Not the best VPN for gamers out there.
PrivateVPN
One of the best VPN services for the Windows platform that we have come across is PrivateVPN.
We say that because we have researched hard and long about how PrivateVPN streams content and protects the user’s online privacy.
The other great thing about PrivateVPN is that it comes with pretty much as competitive pricing model as one is likely to get anywhere.
This is definitely a bonus for all Windows users.
As a VPN service, PrivateVPN offers users a very high level of digital security.
It also protects users on public WiFi networks.
Click here to review our full PrivateVPN review.
Pros
- Official 30-day no-questions-asked money-back guarantee
- a total of six simultaneous connections allowed
- can unblock websites and apps
- Does a good job of hiding the user’s original location
Cons
- Sometimes gives users connect/disconnect issues
Hotspot Shield
Regardless of the platform, Hotspot Shield is always there as a contender.
It offers one of the best VPN apps out there.
The great thing about HotSpot Shield is that, it offers users both a paid and free subscription package.
This is the reason why Windows users prefer it over others
Our suggestion to users is that first, they should try out the free version of HotSpot Shield.
This way, the user can know for a fact if the service is satisfying all his/her needs.
If the user is pleased with the server list that the VPN service has and the speed that all of its VPN servers offer and its long-standing ability to bypass all kinds of geo-restrictions, then the user is free to finally decide if he/she wants to go with HotSpot Shield premium or not.
Click here to read our complete HotSpot Shield.
Pros
- Offers a generous 30-day official money-back guarantee
- Has a web browser addon/extension for Firefox and Chrome respectively
- Encryption is robust.
- The app’s interface is user-friendly.
- The total number of simultaneous devices allowed is around 5.
Cons
- Does not accept Bitcoin has a payment method.
- The logging policy is vague.
- The VPN service is based in the United States of America.
VPNArea
VPN Area has made a name for itself as the toughest VPN on issues such as privacy.
This is also the reason why it has a genuinely strict zero-log policy to ensure the maximum amount of privacy to users.
The company operates out of Switzerland.
That is always comforting to know.
Why?
As mentioned before, Switzerland has fairly lax online privacy laws.
Our research shows that all online consumers looking for a VPN service should give VPN Area along with Hide.Me and Private Internet Access a try.
All of these are sensible choices if we’re only considering best VPNs for Windows 10 machine.
To read more on VPNArea and the features it offers, users should click here in order to read our full review on VPNArea.
Pros
- Fast VPN speeds
- Accepts cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoins
- zero-log privacy policy
- Allows six simultaneous connections per account
- Makes use of OpenVPN
- Strong encryption AES 256-bit.
Cons
- Sometimes does not offer protection against DNS leaks.
- Comes with complex instructions on how best to use this service.
Buffered
Readers who still have not managed to make up their minds about which is the best VPN for Windows 10 machine should give Buffered a try.
The company operates out of Hungary which is another one of those pro-privacy countries that don’t have any obligations to strict data retention law.
Buffered VPN does not offer the greatest number of official VPN servers.
Currently, the company only offers 37.
However, even with that small a number, Windows users should have no problems in managing anything and everything with the use of Buffered VPN.
By that, we mean that users can take advantage of strong encryption features and bypass various geo-restrictions to secure their online presence.
Readers who want to know more about Buffered VPN should click here in order to read our full review.
Pros
- Offers 24/7 solid customer support.
- Allows P2P torrenting.
- Compatible with US Netflix
- Makes use of OpenVPN
- Offers AES 256-bit encryption.
- Has a create interface for beginner users.
Cons
- Keeps a few connection logs on its users with information such as time and duration.
- Does not allow for cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoins.
- Monthly charges are high.
How to set up a VPN on Windows 10?
It is safe to assume that the vast majority of all Windows users have updated to the latest version, that is Windows 10.
Some people are still holding out on Windows 8, which wasn’t any better or worse than Windows 10.
In other words, they should update as soon as possible as well.
No one can deny the fact that even after all this while, Windows 10 has issues and bugs.
But it is also the most user-friendly of all operating systems because of historical and technical factors.
In short, Windows 10 is convenient.
It is convenient to use.
And convenient to set up a VPN on.
So let’s move towards our guide now.
The step-by-step guide on how to set up Windows 10 VPN
To start off the process of installing the best VPN for Windows 10 on one’s machine, the user has to follow the below given steps.
Step 1
The first step, as always, is to first sign up for the best Windows VPN service.
We have already mentioned the ones that we think users should go for but readers can make up their own mind.
Step 2
The next step is to first go to the official website of the VPN service provider that the user has decided to go with.
Then the user has to download the official Windows VPN app of that VPN service.
Steps 3
Then, the user has to press the Start button and then make his/her way to Settings.
After that, he should go to Network & Internet.
When that’s done then the user needs to click on the option that says VPN.
And then, Add a VPN Connection.
Step 4
After completing the previous step, the user has to type the proper connection name along with username and password and server address.
When all that information is in place then the user needs to save all of it.
Step 5
Now is the time when the user should see a brand new connection in his/her machine’s VPN section.
From there, the user can now connect to the newly-subscribed VPN service and then enjoy the simple pleasures of the freedom of the internet.
Windows and VPN
Recently Microsoft has claimed that Windows 10 is the company’s fastest and most comprehensive operating system till date.
The developers behind the project have designed to provide a more streamlined and ‘better’ user experience.
And yet, some users have actually reported that there are still some issues and bugs that developers have not fixed till now.
This has led to many Windows crashes and data losses.
One of the major issues of Windows 10 that has managed to capture the attention of millions around the world is that its facilities the process of supplying an unwarranted amount of data to the likes of the NSA.
What users need to know Is that they can protect themselves from such privacy problems by using some tools.
More specifically, tools that can encrypt their online data and all other activities with the help of strong and safe protocols.
Fortunately, modern VPN services can help users to keep spies and online hackers at bay with a good number of security features that their developers have designed to improve their online privacy as well as protect their online data.
How to solve Windows 10 issue Cisco IPSec VPN client
Our research shows that users who make use of Cisco IPSec VPN may just run into various connection problems after they have put in the time to set up Windows 10 VPN on their computer systems.
Readers should know here that Cisco IPSec VPN client is not really available for users who are still on the Windows 8 operating system.
That’s a decision that Cisco itself has made.
It has little to do with the VPN client and perhaps even Windows 10.
In any case, the problem involves the client refusing to secure communication channels.
And that leading to a time-out eventually.
In the end, it leads to the termination of the user’s connection.
With that said, it is also true that some users have managed to solve this exact problem by simply tweaking their machine’s registry settings.
Users who want the full solution should search the internet for a detailed guide on how to troubleshoot their Cisco IPSec VPN client issues on operating systems such as Windows 10, 8.1 and 8.
That is, until we come up with our own guide.
In short, users should keep in mind that even though there are free VPN services available for all Windows users (and there is no doubt that some of them could actually work for Windows users), they aren’t really a match for paid VPN service providers in terms of privacy features and secure connections.
So always subscribe to a reputable and well-known VPN service.
Windows 10 VPN Known Issues
Now, before writing more about all the Windows 10 VPN issues that various users have experienced in the past, it is always a good idea to actually get out of one’s comfort zone and then go to different communities and forums in order to interact with a few Windows VPN users who have experienced difficulties and troubles themselves when trying to run VPN software on their Windows machines.
Or, one can simply go there and start reading.
Our research shows that the number of users who had trouble with the Windows VPN app was not as alarmingly high as the internet might have us believe.
This is a good sign not just for Windows VPN users but for all VPN users.
Nevertheless, users did have problems so it is our duty to discuss them here.
What many readers don’t apparently know is that they need to dig deeper and keep going in order to understand that the majority of the problems that users face when trying to install Windows VPN is that:
The VPN stops working whenever they update their Windows.
And that is a big problem.
Here are the solutions that we think can help users identify a good number of problems that they may or may not face with Windows VPN and how to fix them.
Solution 1 to Windows 10 VPN issues
First, the user should check if he/she is entering the right kind of credentials.
If the username and the password are incorrect then no amount of other tweaks and suggestions will ever work.
And believe us, there are definitely those times when the root of the problem is an invalid character either in the typed username or password.
Windows users who have gone towards the route of manual configuration should make sure that they are entering the correct server address.
If they don’t do that then it should not come to them as a surprise that their Windows 10 VPN would simply not work.
Solution 2 to Windows 10 VPN issues
The user has to find out if he/she is connecting to the internet with the help of an external modem.
If that is the case, the user should first make sure that there is not a problem with the modem.
This may seem like tired advice because users tend to think that the VPN was working before and is not working now so there must be something wrong with the computer rather than something external.
But it is not the case.
A router has to go bad at some point.
So just assume that point is now.
And check.
Solution 3 to Windows 10 VPN issues
The first thing users should always give some thought to is his/her internet connection.
And the user should carry out this step BEFORE trying for a connection with Windows 10 VPN.
Solution 4 to Windows 10 VPN issues
If nothing else works, the user should disconnect from the VPN service and then connect to the VPN app again but with a different protocol such as PPTP/L2TP.
There is some truth to the fact that some VPN service providers have the habit of not working all the time when used with the same protocol.
Why do I need a VPN for Windows 10?
There are many reasons.
Let’s discuss them turn by turn to keep things nice and easy.
Security and privacy issues
The digital universe is infinite assuming there are enough hard drives available.
And in this infinite universe, cybercriminals are sitting in the corners looking for an opportunity to take aim and strike.
Therefore, security tools such as anti-virus products may help the user against online threats such as,
- Ransomware
- Malware
- Spam Bots
- Spyware
- Virus
However, the user’s personal and/or confidential data or information still needs protection.
It is always exposed to those with the right kind of knowledge if the user does not take all the necessary measures.
Perhaps it is best to think of the internet as a podium.
A podium that can connect millions and millions of users with the rest of the world.
Now, although it may sound great that the internet is a place where people come together to do stuff and make money, the reality is that all that interaction gives way to excessive online vulnerabilities.
And it’s not like people don’t know about them.
It is a widely acknowledged fact that the internet is full of malware and ransomware for those who do not have enough knowledge.
However, even those who do have knowledge about these things refuse to take action on what they know.
Modern hackers are very much capable of first infiltrating and then destroying internet users’ network security.
By doing that, they can gain access to the user’s important data.
Now, because of concerns such as hackers and other cyber criminals, users usually end up facing problems such as identity theft, financial loss and information disclosed.
That is, unless the user has taken the proper precaution of making use of a VPN service on his/her Windows device.
The VPN service needs to be installed and activated.
Because there is no point in installing the thing but then not using it whenever one is doing something important and critical.
Censorship
Users who want to equip themselves better against all the ills of the internet have little other choice than to make do with a Windows VPN.
And they need to take action ASAP.
Especially those users who live in censorship-heavy countries such as Iran, China, and North Korea.
Perhaps this is also a good time to mention that there is a difference between censorship and geo-restrictions.
Each of these terms accompany divergent online threats and their after-effects.
Various different censorship regulations and rules come about as a result of the government in a given country formulating and implementing them.
Sometimes other legislative bodies with concern are also part of the process in restricting some content.
It is via these censorship tools that related law enforcement authorities and others are able to ban social media platforms, websites and any other type of harmful content for their people.
Geo-restrictions
Security and privacy actually represent just two aspects of total online safety that most of the publications in the online world acknowledge on a regular basis.
The next spot goes to geo-restrictions if we’re strictly moving forward with what concerns the average online consumer today in the digital world.
A Windows VPN can solve these problems under a host of circumstances.
Users who only access the internet because they want to stream content probably consider geo-restrictions as their biggest hurdle in doing that.
Additionally, there is also some truth to the fact that geo-restrictions can sometimes become a problem for the non-streaming community as well.
If a given content contains something that the author only wishes for a certain region, then geo-restrictions can restrict any user’s access to that content.
Users who wish to access content that has geo-restrictions on it will need to change his/her IP address to the country where there are no geo-restrictions on the same content.
Streaming platforms
The majority of the platforms that offer online streaming avenues such as,
- Pandora
- HBO-Go
- Hulu
- Netflix
are inaccessible to those users who do not live in the US.
And the solution to this problem is exactly what has made a good number of VPN services famous.
In other words, good VPN services rid the user of any streaming problems on the Windows platform.
With a proper Windows VPN, users can say goodbye to geolocation restrictions and other country-wide censorship programs.
ExpressVPN along with Golden Frog VyprVPN, Pure VPN and Private Internet Access have done enough in the business to have people consider them the best when it comes to bypassing geo-restrictions anywhere.
However, the top spot has to go to IPVanish.
IPVanish provides each and every feature that allows users to access any given streaming site on the planet except for US Netflix.
For that, users should go for a VPN service such as NordVPN.
We want to remind users that the only real way to truly get out of situations where they have to come face to face with various geo-restrictions is to mask their real IP address.
And that is only possible if the user has signed up for a Windows VPN.
When users connect to a top VPN for Windows, then he/she gives himself/herself the best chance of masking his/her real IP address and then bypass all kinds of geo-restrictions.
NSA surveillance
Most of the internet can thank people like Edward Snowden who have to play the unenviable role of a whistleblower.
In other words, Edward Snowden’s efforts mean that we now have a pretty good idea of how the NSA has gone about spying on people of all countries for years and even decades.
Users who want to protect themselves from that mass surveillance problem as much as possible can go to no place else than a Windows VPN app.
Not only that but the National Surveillance Agency has even formed partnerships with (allegedly) technology giants as well as telecom businesses to work on their existing surveillance operations and then take them to a whole new level.
If various media reports are to be believed then the NSA has actually carried out spying on almost all aspects of a given user’s digital life.
Yes.
We’re talking about the NSA spying on,
- financial transactions
- social media activities
- conversations
- online activities
The NSA is doing all it can, unintentionally or intentionally to slowly kill the liberty and freedom that the internet affords to its users.
And it is doing that by holding users as digital captives.
However, with the use of just a single decent best VPN for Windows alternative, users can secure all of their online data with military-grade AES 256-bit encryption.
Not only that, but a good Windows VPN can also help the user to evade all kinds of surveillance traps.
In short, if a user’s IP address is hidden it comes impossibly hard for anyone to get to his/her data.
The best way to test the performance of Windows VPN apps
Needless to say that whenever a user purchases a VPN app, the user is actually expecting it to perform at its best.
But, in the real world, that is not the case.
This is the reason why users need to take measurements on how good or bad a given Windows VPN is performing at any given moment in time.
There is a particular class of metrics that users can make use of in order to gauge whether or not a given VPN client is performing as well as it is supposed to.
So, the first step that any user should take is to conduct various Security Gladiators Speed Test Tool via various online tools in order to check his/her upload and download speeds.
For that purpose, there are lots of resources.
The best free tool for this task is the one users can access to https://securitygladiators.com/internet-speed-test/.
There is also www.speedof.me.
And also www.testmy.net.
So use these tools to find out if a Windows VPN is performing to the levels that it should.
The second thing that users can do is to check for various DNS and IP leaks.
For that purpose, there are also some online free tools.
Like the one available at www.ipleak.net.
Tools such as that help the user to uncover the extent to which his/her VPN service really is performing and securing the user’s internet connection.
Readers should already know that a Windows VPN service promises to keep the user’s IP anonymous and properly cloaked.
However, it is a good idea to always give some time setting up one’s Windows VPN client in order to make sure that it has access to the best ports, protocols, and encryption technologies to avoid any shortcomings in it.
Conclusion
The list that we have mentioned above as our picks for the best VPN for Windows gives users a total of ten different choices for best VPN for Windows.
The recommendations that we have made in this guide are actually based on the performance levels of these VPN services but only on the Microsoft Windows 10 operating system.
In the end, we hope that our guide would help users find the best VPN for Windows which would satisfy their needs.
Use the comments section below in order to let us know if we missed a good VPN for Windows or for anything else that you like.
PIA anyone?
Hi there Anonymous.
Thanks for the comment.
PIA is good.
Just not good enough to get to our top 10 list.
Maybe it will in the coming years.
I am using nordvpn on my windows 10, mostly I use it for netflix and torrenting. You are absolutely right writing all those benefits of nordvpn security, but you forgot to mention that they have excellent customer service that works 24/7. I had few issues once, but they quickly solved them.
Thanks for the comment Michel.
Yes that is true.
NordVPN does everything just about right.