It's important to stay secure when browsing online, and while you can take measures to be aware of where you're browsing and what you're doing, using a VPN is the best way to guarantee your cybersecurity.
What is a VPN?
Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) provide protection for your data and identity when you're online by creating a private network that hides your real IP address. This means that all of your activity is untraceable and secure. Try thinking about VPNs as encrypted tunnels through which all of your online traffic passes through. Nobody can see into the tunnel, and everything inside the tunnel is protected against online threats like viruses, hackers, and malware.
Do you need a VPN?
A good quality VPN will block any nefarious traffic coming your way, while also keeping your browsing history private from your ISP and anyone else trying to snoop on your activities. Using a VPN also means you can conduct activities such as checking your online banking while connected to public WiFi, without worrying that you're leaking valuable information.
If you're looking for a VPN for Windows, you'll need a fast service that remains secure. A "no logs" policy and a kill switch are also vital. These ensure that your VPN doesn't track what you do, and that your connection drops if the VPN connection fails, respectively. For Windows 10, it's also useful to have an app that's simple to use.
What is the best VPN for Windows?
We have tracked down all the best VPNs for Windows 10, and stuck to VPN services that have apps that are easy to get to grips with, while still offering advanced features for those who want to dip under the surface to make tweaks. You can pick from leading services like CyberGhost VPN, Private Internet Access, and ExpressVPN.
These are the best VPNs for Windows in 2023.
NordVPN
Best For Security
- Monthly: £10.39/month
- One-year plan: £3.99/month
- Two-year plan: £3.19/month
Read our full review of NordVPN.
NordVPN has a reputation for being amongst the sturdiest, most reliable VPNs out there. NordVPN has fast servers that are also not on any blacklists. You should be able to stream Hulu or Netlfix shows in several European countries without any issues.
NordVPN says it offers over 5,000 servers worldwide. It lets you connect six devices at the same time, and it claims to keep no logs of your activities. INordVPN is one of the most secure VPNs, with a wide range of advanced security features that combine to protect your data and identity.
CyberGhost VPN
Best For Simplicity
- Monthly: £10.89/month
- Six-month plan: £6.19/month
- Two-year plan: £1.92/month
Read our full review of CyberGhost VPN.
Cyberghost VPN has a really simple interface with easy-to-understand terminology explaining all of its features. It keeps things easy and focuses on strong security features. It’s very fast to set up and has intuitive apps for a variety of popular devices.
CyberGhost might be easy to use but that doesn't mean it's not on par with other options on this list. Users have access to 3,600 servers in over 60 locations around the world, with unlimited bandwidth and traffic. This makes for reliable streaming, but some users have said connections can be slower than with other VPN offerings.
Private Internet Access
Best For Server Network
- Monthly: £10.99/month
- Six-month plan: £5.39/month
- Two-year plan: £1.69/month
Private Internet Access (PIA) installs quickly and comes with loads of impressive features for all types of users, no matter if you're a beginner or an advanced user who likes fiddling around with settings.
You get your standard secure VPN account, encrypted WiFi, P2P, IPv6 leak protection, kill switch, plus a whole lot more. PIA isn't a particularly sexy app, but what it lacks in aesthetics it makes up for with a long list of features. It also has a solid backbone, with thousands of servers in countries all around the world.
It's also relatively speedy. We noticed our "naked" download and upload speeds dropped by only about a half or two-thirds (common for most VPNs). It may not be the fastest VPN around, but it's definitely not the slowest, either.
PIA has apps for Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, and an extension for Chrome.
Tunnelbear
Best For Beginners
- Monthly: £7.78/month
- One-year plan: £3.89/month
- Three-year plan: £2.59/month
Read our full review of TunnelBear.
TunnelBear's main selling point is simplicity and ease of use, and it delivers. After downloading the app, all you need to do is create an account (only your email address and password is needed), confirm the registration via email, and you're good to go. The animation of a bear actually tunneling from one place to another is pretty great, too.
The app is free, but it only gets you a monthly 500MB, which will be enough for a little bit of work but definitely won't do for video streaming. If you want more, you can get a paid account with unlimited data.
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