A virtual private network (VPN) gives you online privacy and anonymity by creating a private network from a public internet connection. VPNs mask your internet protocol (IP) address so your online actions are virtually untraceable.
Most important, VPN services establish secure and encrypted connections to provide greater privacy than even a secured Wi-Fi hotspot.
At its core, a VPN makes you appear to be in a different physical location. They work by diverting your signal through another server, often in another country, utilizing a different IP address in the process. Essentially, this means that you can appear to be on the other side of the world, which has the added bonus of also providing privacy and anonymity while unlocking access to streaming content in that country.
You could, for example, access Netflix content on your Windows PC browser that’s unavailable in the US, broadening your content options from the comfort of your gaming chair.
We’ve tested a bunch of VPN services and have rounded up five of the best Windows 10 VPN options below!
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN, which comes highly rated by users and reviewers, works on devices including Windows, Android, iOS, Linux and routers. Based in the British Virgin Islands, it costs around $8.32 a month if you take out a 12-month plan. With a network of more than 2,000 servers in 94 countries, Express offers top-notch coverage in Europe and the US. It also works pretty well in Asia, South America, the Middle East, and Africa. It uses its own DNS servers and employs high-end encryption tech to ensure your security and privacy.
ExpressVPN offers access to more than 3,000 servers in 160 locations across 94 countries, alongside maybe the widest platform support you’ll find anywhere.
| Plan Length | Monthly Cost | Discount | Total Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Month | $12.95 | 0% | $12.95 at ExpressVPN |
| 6 Months | $9.99 | 23% | $59.95 at ExpressVPN |
| 15 Months | $6.67 | 49% | $99.95 at ExpressVPN |
We’re not just talking about native clients for Windows, Mac, Linux, plus iOS, Android, and even BlackBerry. There’s a custom firmware for some routers, DNS content-unblocking for a host of streaming media devices and smart TVs, and surprisingly capable VPN browser extensions for anything which can run them.
All that functionality could sound intimidating to VPN newbies, but ExpressVPN does more than most to help. An excellent support website is stuffed with detailed guides and tutorials to get you up and running. And if you do have any trouble, 24/7 live chat support is on hand to answer your questions.
The good news continues elsewhere, with ExpressVPN delivering in almost every area. Bitcoin payments? Of course. P2P support? Yep. Netflix unblocking? Naturally. Industrial-strength encryption, kill switch, DNS leak protection, solid and reliable performance, and a clear no-logging policy? You’ve got it.
Downsides? Not many to speak of. The ExpressVPN service supports five simultaneous connections per user (increased recently from three), and it comes with a premium price tag. But if you want a speedy service, crammed with top-notch features, and with all the support you need to help you use them, ExpressVPN will be a great fit. While they don’t have a free trial, ExpressVPN has a no-questions-asked 30-day money-back guarantee if you aren’t happy with the service.
Download ExpressVPN
Surfshark
Surfshark offers incredible value for money, especially if you commit to more than one year of service, which drives the overall cost down significantly. Not only that, but you can use as many gadgets on its service as your hands can handle, thanks to its generous unlimited device policy.
Easy to set up, you’ll be browsing the web anonymously in no time, with decent speeds and plenty of security options for peace of mind. That includes a choice of OpenVPN, IKEv2 and Shadowsocks security protocols, private DNS, AES-256 encryption, and a kill switch for those moments when your connection may drop.
It might lack the more complex settings that power users may be after, so if you’re an experienced heavy user that likes delving into the tweaking options, you may want to look elsewhere. For most people though, this is an ideal starting service, especially when you take its 30-day money back guarantee into consideration.
NordVPN
Widely regarded as one of the best and most recognizable VPNs in the game, NordVPN has won users over with its incredible security options, which includes passing your data through two separate VPN servers for a double dose of security.
If that wasn’t enough, you also have the option to route traffic over the Tor network, in addition to KEv2/IPsec, OpenVPN, PPTP, and L2TP protocols, along with a kill switch.
While the app’s UI can be a little buggy at times, the service is fast and solid, with a 30-day money back guarantee and 24/7 support if required. The multi-year plan offers the best value for money, if you decide to continue using its services after the initial 30 days, and if you want an extra dose of anonymity and privacy, you have the option to pay via Bitcoin too, which sets it apart from most rivals.
IPVanish
The aptly-named IPVanish has an excellent, polished Windows app that’s rammed with settings and features specifically designed for PC users, with basic and advanced settings available for all levels. It’s an ideal choice for P2P traffic use cases, which includes torrenting and file sharing services.
From download speed graphs to a Quick Connect menu, a whole host of features are available in an easy to use manner. These are combined with strong speeds and solid security, including a kill switch, 256-bit encryption, a no-log policy, as well as a host of other protocols.
CyberGhost
CyberGhost, like ExpressVPN, is able to quickly and easily connect to different servers, with numerous security protocols on offer alongside 256-AES encryption, a kill switch, ad blocker and a beefy privacy policy.
The service offered is speedy, thanks to a decent amount of servers around the world, although certain features like the ad blocker can occasionally slow things down a little. The app itself is rammed with features, allowing more comfortable users to tinker away to their hearts’ content, although VPN greenhorns should still feel comfortable too.
It doesn’t offer a free trial like some of its rivals, but it does serve up a fairly generous 45-day money back guarantee, giving you ample time to take it for a spin before laying down your hard earned cash.
We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
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