Best VPN for Windows

Windows is the most used desktop operating system in the world and the most attacked one. Over 83% of malware targets Windows specifically.

Every unprotected connection your PC makes on public Wi-Fi, a home network, or a corporate setup is a potential entry point for data interception. Windows also ships with background telemetry that sends usage data to Microsoft by default. Most users never touch those settings. A VPN encrypts your traffic, masks your IP address, and keeps your activity private. But the top Windows VPNs go beyond basic encryption with platform-specific tools that generic apps simply do not offer. This guide breaks down the top picks based on analysis of five major review platforms.

Our rankings are consistent with independent testing from CNET[1], TechRadar[2], CyberInsider[3], RTINGS[4], vpnMentor[5], and Security.org[6].

What Separates a Windows VPN from a Generic One?

Most VPN reviews treat all platforms the same. Windows users face platform-specific risks that demand specific tools.

• ARM64 support is now essential. Surface Pro and Copilot+ PCs run on ARM processors. A VPN without native ARM64 support falls back to emulation, which runs slower and drains battery faster.
• Malware download scanning separates the best from the rest. Most VPNs only block malicious URLs at the DNS level. NordVPN’s Threat Protection Pro scans file downloads before they execute. It blocked an EICAR malware test file in independent testing. No other provider on this list does that.
• Windows telemetry control is a CyberGhost exclusive. Every Windows 10 and 11 machine sends background usage data to Microsoft by default. CyberGhost’s Privacy Guard disables those telemetry services in one click from inside the VPN app.- Split tunneling on Windows is more powerful than on mobile. Route your torrent client through the VPN while your browser connects normally. Every provider on this list supports it on Windows, even where their Android and iOS versions do not.

Windows VPN Feature Comparison

VPN	Price	ARM64	Malware Scanning	Telemetry Control	Port Forwarding	Open Source
NordVPN	$3.39/mo	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
ExpressVPN	$3.46/mo	Yes	No	No	No	No
PIA	$1.98/mo	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes
CyberGhost	$2.03/mo	Yes	No	Yes	No	No
Proton VPN	$2.99/mo	No	No	No	Yes	Yes

NordVPN Scans Windows Downloads for Malware

NordVPN includes Threat Protection Pro, which scans file downloads for malware, blocks phishing sites, and monitors the dark web for leaked credentials. This makes it the deepest Windows-specific security package available.

NordLynx delivers strong throughput with minimal overhead on Windows desktops and ARM64 laptops alike.Meshnet adds encrypted device-to-device connections for remote file access and private LAN gaming at $3.39/mo.

ExpressVPN Installs in Two Minutes via the Microsoft Store

ExpressVPN installs in under two minutes with zero configuration required. It is available directly through the Microsoft Store for sandboxed, auto-updating installs. Lightway Turbo splits traffic across multiple tunnels on Windows, reducing latency on congested connections. Network Lock reliably cut and restored the internet during forced disconnect tests.

PIA Offers Open-Source Transparency and Port Forwarding on Windows

Private Internet Access (PIA) is the only mainstream VPN with a fully open-source Windows app and native port forwarding for faster torrent seeding and self-hosted servers.

Its SOCKS5 proxy completed a 20 GB download in 8 minutes versus 12 minutes via standard VPN tunneling. Configurable encryption between AES-128 and AES-256 with unlimited connections at $1.98/mo.

CyberGhost Disables Windows Telemetry in One Click

CyberGhost includes Privacy Guard, which disables Windows background telemetry services, including Microsoft Defender data collection, in one click from inside the app. No other mainstream VPN offers this level of Windows-specific privacy control.

Over 11,690 purpose-labeled servers remove any guesswork. A 45-day money-back guarantee is the longest on this list.

Proton VPN Provides an Audited Open-Source Windows Client

Proton VPN is the only provider here with a fully open-source and independently audited Windows app. Secure Core routes traffic through Switzerland or Iceland before exit, making traffic correlation attacks practically impossible.

NetShield blocked over 90% of ads in testing. Port forwarding supports self-hosted services on Windows. If privacy is your top priority across all devices, our best VPN for privacy guide covers the full evaluation framework.

How to Configure a VPN on a Windows PC

• Download the installer from your VPN provider’s official website or the Microsoft Store. Install, log in, and enable the kill switch before connecting. The entire process takes under two minutes.
• For protocol, select WireGuard or NordLynx on modern Windows hardware. On restrictive networks, switch to OpenVPN over TCP port 443. This blends in as standard HTTPS traffic. Not sure which protocol suits your setup? Our WireGuard vs OpenVPN comparison breaks down the tradeoffs.
• After connecting, visit ipleak.net to confirm your IP and DNS servers both reflect the VPN location. If DNS still shows your ISP, enable DNS leak protection in the app settings and retest.
• For extra privacy before installing, go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Diagnostics and Feedback and turn everything off. This stops Windows telemetry before your VPN even connects.

Final Verdict

NordVPN is the most complete Windows security package with malware scanning, post-quantum encryption, and Meshnet. ExpressVPN is the easiest to set up for users who want one-click daily protection on their PC.

PIA is the strongest pick for torrenting and power users who need port forwarding and open-source transparency on Windows. CyberGhost is the only VPN that tackles Windows telemetry directly. Proton VPN is the right call for privacy-first users who want an auditable, open-source Windows client.

All five come with money-back guarantees. Enable the kill switch after installing and verify your setup at ipleak.net before using it for anything sensitive.

Sources

1. CNET
2. TechRadar
3. CyberInsider
4. RTINGS
5. vpnMentor
6. Security.org

Frequently Asked Questions

AllHow it worksSafety & PrivacyPricingSetup & Support

How does a VPN protect a Windows PC beyond just encrypting traffic?

Encryption and IP masking are the baseline; the strongest Windows VPNs add platform-specific tools generic apps skip. NordVPN’s Threat Protection Pro scans downloads before they execute, CyberGhost’s Privacy Guard disables background telemetry in one click, and every provider here supports split tunneling on Windows even where their mobile apps don’t offer it.

Does NordVPN’s malware scanning during downloads actually catch threats?

Yes. NordVPN’s Threat Protection Pro scans file downloads for malware before they execute rather than only blocking malicious URLs at the DNS level like most competitors. It blocked an EICAR test file, the industry-standard benchmark for antivirus testing, in independent testing. NordVPN backs this with 8,900+ servers across 129+ countries and ranks #1 of 22 in our Speed Lab.

What is Windows telemetry, and why should VPN users care?

Windows 10 and 11 send background usage data to Microsoft by default, and most users never touch the settings controlling it. CyberGhost’s Privacy Guard is the only feature on this list that disables those telemetry services in one click from inside the VPN app. You can also do it manually via Settings, Privacy and Security, Diagnostics and Feedback.

Do I actually need ARM64 support if I own a Surface Pro or Copilot+ PC?

Yes. Surface Pro and Copilot+ PCs run ARM processors, and a VPN app without native ARM64 support falls back to emulation, which runs slower and drains battery faster. NordVPN, ExpressVPN, PIA, and CyberGhost all offer native ARM64 support in our comparison; Proton VPN does not, making it a weaker fit for ARM-based Windows hardware specifically.

Which VPN performs best for Windows users who need reliable throughput?

NordVPN ranks #1 of 22 in our Speed Lab, aggregated from independent labs, with its NordLynx protocol delivering strong throughput on both standard Windows desktops and ARM64 laptops. ExpressVPN’s Lightway Turbo splits traffic across multiple tunnels on Windows to reduce latency on congested connections, making it the strongest runner-up for daily use.

How does split tunneling work differently on Windows versus mobile?

Split tunneling on Windows lets you route specific traffic, like a torrent client, through the VPN while your browser connects normally, offering finer control than most mobile versions allow. NordVPN, ExpressVPN, PIA, CyberGhost, and Proton VPN all support split tunneling on Windows, even in cases where their Android or iOS apps don’t offer the same option.

What’s the advantage of PIA’s open-source Windows app and port forwarding?

PIA is the only mainstream provider here with a fully open-source Windows app and native port forwarding, useful for faster torrent seeding and self-hosted services. Its SOCKS5 proxy completed a 20 GB download in 8 minutes versus 12 minutes over standard VPN tunneling. PIA also offers unlimited simultaneous device connections across its 35,000+ server network in 91 countries.

How many devices can I run simultaneously across these Windows VPN picks?

Device limits vary across these five picks. NordVPN and Proton VPN both allow 10 simultaneous devices, ExpressVPN allows 10 to 14 depending on plan, CyberGhost caps at 7, and PIA offers unlimited connections on a single account, useful if you’re covering a full household of Windows machines plus phones and tablets.

How do prices compare among the top Windows VPN picks?

Prices vary by term length, shown here as promotional monthly rates on longer plans. CyberGhost and PIA both start from $2.03/month on their longest-term plans, Proton VPN from $2.49/month, and NordVPN and ExpressVPN both from $3.49/month. Regular monthly rates run considerably higher once the promotional term ends, so check the renewal price before committing.

Which Windows VPN offers the longest refund window?

CyberGhost offers the longest refund window at 45 days, compared to the 30-day money-back guarantee standard across NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Proton VPN, and PIA. That extra two weeks gives Windows users more time to test features like Privacy Guard’s telemetry control or NordVPN’s download malware scanning before committing to a longer term.

How do I properly configure a VPN on my Windows PC?

Download the installer from the provider’s official website or the Microsoft Store, log in, and enable the kill switch before connecting, a process that takes under two minutes. Choose WireGuard or NordLynx on modern hardware, or switch to OpenVPN over TCP port 443 on restrictive networks, then verify your IP and DNS both reflect the VPN location at ipleak.net.

What do I do if ipleak.net shows my ISP’s DNS instead of the VPN’s?

Enable DNS leak protection inside the VPN app’s settings, reconnect, and retest at ipleak.net until both your IP and DNS reflect the server location. Separately, disable Windows telemetry manually via Settings, Privacy and Security, Diagnostics and Feedback before you even connect, since that background data collection operates independently of whatever the VPN tunnel is doing.

Should I choose Proton VPN’s open-source client or NordVPN’s malware scanning?

It depends on your priority. Proton VPN is the only provider here with a fully open-source, independently audited Windows client and adds Secure Core, routing traffic through Switzerland or Iceland before exit. NordVPN instead scans downloaded files for malware through Threat Protection Pro, a deeper active-security layer that Proton’s client doesn’t include.