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 Windows
Full-featured Windows apps with system-level encryption. NordVPN, Surfshark and Proton VPN compared for Windows PCs.
Windows is the most targeted operating system for network attacks. A VPN adds a layer of encryption that protects your browsing, downloads and communications — especially on shared networks. All three services have native Windows apps with kill switches, split tunneling and startup launch.
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
Ad Affiliate links: we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
Side by side
Best VPN for Windows
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
Set the VPN to launch at startup
In the app's settings, enable 'Launch on startup' and 'Auto-connect' so your PC is protected the moment Windows boots.
Use the kill switch
If the VPN drops, the kill switch blocks all internet traffic until the connection is restored — preventing unencrypted leaks.
Try WireGuard for speed
NordLynx (NordVPN) and WireGuard (Surfshark, Proton) are faster than the older OpenVPN protocol on Windows.
Questions
Does Windows Defender replace a VPN?
No. Windows Defender protects against malware. A VPN encrypts your network traffic. They do different jobs and work together.
Will a VPN affect Windows Update?
No. Windows Update works normally with a VPN active. Large downloads may be slightly slower due to encryption overhead.
Does it work on Windows 11?
Yes. All three VPNs fully support Windows 10 and Windows 11 with native 64-bit apps.
Complete your setup