NordVPN
All-round choice: simple apps and up to 10 devices
- Up to 10 devices on one account
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- No-logs policy checked by independent auditors
VPN guide
★ Our pick
Best VPN for Laptops
Lightweight apps for Windows, Mac and Chromebook. NordVPN, Surfshark and Proton VPN compared for laptop users.
Your laptop goes everywhere: home, office, café, airport. Each new Wi-Fi network is a different security situation. All three VPNs here have native apps for Windows, macOS and Linux that run quietly in the background without slowing your machine.
Surfshark
Big households: unlimited devices on one account
- Unlimited devices on one account
- 30-day money-back guarantee on the first purchase
- No-logs policy independently assessed (2025 report)
Proton VPN
Try before you pay: a free plan for one device
- Free plan to start (1 device)
- Up to 10 devices on the Plus plan
- Swiss company, also behind Proton Mail
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Side by side
Best VPN for Laptops
Facts from each brand's official site, checked 27 Oct 2026. Prices change often: today's price is on the official site.
| NordVPN | Surfshark | Proton VPN | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Money-back guarantee | 30 days | 30 days (first purchase) | 30 days (paid plans) |
| Devices | Up to 10 | Unlimited | 10 on Plus · 1 on the free plan |
| Free option | No free plan | 7-day free trial (conditions on the official site) | Free plan (1 device) |
| Company base | Panama (parent company in the Netherlands) | Netherlands (Surfshark B.V.) | Switzerland (Proton) |
| Best for | All-round choice: simple apps and up to 10 devices | Big households: unlimited devices on one account | Try before you pay: a free plan for one device |
| NordVPN | Surfshark | Proton VPN |
Tips
Tips
Use the native app, not a browser extension alone
Browser extensions only protect traffic in the browser. The desktop app encrypts all traffic — email clients, file syncs and messaging apps included.
Enable the kill switch
If the VPN drops unexpectedly, a kill switch blocks all traffic until the connection is restored, preventing unencrypted leaks.
Check startup settings
Set the VPN to launch at startup so your laptop is protected the moment it wakes from sleep.
Questions
Do VPN apps slow down my laptop?
Modern VPN apps use minimal CPU and memory. You won't notice them running in the background on any recent laptop.
Does it work on Chromebooks?
NordVPN and Surfshark have Android apps that work on Chromebooks. Proton VPN also supports Chromebooks through its Android app.
Can I use a VPN on my work laptop?
If it's your personal device, yes. On a company-managed laptop, check with your IT department first — they may have their own VPN.
Complete your setup