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Decision guide · Updated October 2026

Best VPN for Windows

Windows is where most VPN apps are at their best. We ranked the five that run cleanest on Windows 10 and 11, with a kill switch that actually holds.

  • Sourced from published tests
  • No sponsored rankings
  • As featured in Forbes
See all 5 picks
Our answer #1 of 5

NordVPN

Best Overall Best for StreamingBest for GamingBest for SecurityBest for PrivacyBest for TorrentingBest for Teams
93 Trust Scoreout of 100

#1 of 22 in our Speed Lab · 7,130 servers in 150 countries · 10 devices.

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The ranking

All 5 picks, ranked

Ordered by Trust Score. Tell us what you will use it for and each pick explains why it fits.

Ranked for
  1. 1
    NordVPN Best Overall Best for StreamingBest for GamingBest for SecurityBest for PrivacyBest for TorrentingBest for Teams
    4.6 2M reviews #1 of 22 in our Speed Lab · 7,130 servers in 150 countries · 10 devices #1 of 22 · 730 MbpsFastest in our Speed Lab, so HD and 4K hold across regions 18 msLowest added latency of the five and masks your IP from opponents Threat Protection ProThreat Protection blocks trackers and malware; says its no-logs policy is audited AuditedSays its no-logs policy is independently audited; Panama-based P2P servers · kill switchP2P-labelled servers at full speed, with a kill switch on every app SSO · central adminYour click goes to NordLayer: SSO, dedicated IPs, central admin
    93
    Get NordVPNBuy
  2. 2
    ExpressVPN
    4.7 889K reviews Lightway protocol · servers in 113 countries · 10 devices #8 of 22 · 630 MbpsServers in 113 countries; Lightway stays steady on long routes 22 msStable routing under load; router app covers consoles Threat ManagerRAM-only servers; says its no-logs policy is independently audited AuditedSays its no-logs policy is audited; RAM-only servers All servers · kill switchP2P allowed on every server; kill switch built in 10 devices / seatSimple apps non-technical staff can run; 10 devices per seat
    86
    Get ExpressVPNBuy
  3. 3
    Surfshark
    4.7 397K reviews Unlimited devices · 4,500+ servers in 100+ countries #4 of 22 · 695 MbpsUnlimited devices, so every TV, phone and box is covered 20 msUnlimited devices covers PC, console and phone on one plan CleanWebCleanWeb ad and malware blocking on unlimited devices AuditedSays its no-logs policy is audited; Netherlands-based P2P servers · kill switchP2P servers plus unlimited devices for a whole household Unlimited / seatUnlimited devices per seat for small, device-heavy teams
    85
    Get SurfsharkBuy
  4. 4
    Proton VPN
    4.7 1.2M reviews Swiss-based · 20,000+ servers in 140+ countries · free plan #12 of 22 · 580 MbpsStreaming access needs the paid plan; the free tier is not built for it 22 msSolid latency, but no router app for consoles NetShieldSwiss-based, open-source apps, says it is audited yearly Audited yearlySays it is audited yearly; open-source apps you can inspect Paid plans · port forwardingP2P and port forwarding on paid plans, not the free tier Business planProton for Business bundles mail, drive and VPN
    85
    Get Proton VPNBuy
  5. 5
    CyberGhost
    4.2 207K reviews 9,600+ servers in 100 countries · 7 devices #10 of 22 · 612 MbpsStreaming-labelled servers and a 45-day window to test them 25 msGaming-labelled servers; the highest latency of the five Content blockerNoSpy servers run in-house; 45-day money-back window AuditedSays its no-logs policy is audited; publishes a transparency report P2P servers · kill switchTorrenting-labelled servers; 45 days to test them No team planConsumer plans only; no team console
    85
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How we score: published tests, store ratings and audits, weighted. Commissions never change a score. Methodology