Quick answer: As of October 2026, established VPNs with Windows apps include ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Surfshark, Proton VPN, CyberGhost, Private Internet Access (PIA), IPVanish, Hotspot Shield, Mullvad, Windscribe, TunnelBear, VyprVPN and Speedify. VPNArea has shut down and Buffered VPN’s website no longer loads, so avoid both. Several big brands share owners (Kape Technologies owns ExpressVPN, CyberGhost and PIA; Nord Security owns NordVPN and Surfshark), so check ownership, independent audits and refund terms rather than relying on brand names.
A virtual private network (VPN) encrypts the traffic between your Windows PC and the VPN provider’s server. That protects you on public Wi-Fi and hides the websites you visit from your internet provider. A VPN does not stop malware or phishing on its own, and it moves trust from your internet provider to the VPN company, which is why who runs the VPN matters.
We first published this list as “Top 15 Best VPN Software for Windows”. When we checked every provider again in October 2026, two had disappeared, several had changed owners, and almost every server count and device limit in the original had changed. The list below keeps the 13 VPNs that are still sold and have Windows apps. Each name links to our full, refreshed review where one exists.
How to choose a VPN for Windows
- Ownership and jurisdiction. Find out which company runs the VPN, where it is based and which other brands it owns. This list notes each one.
- Evidence for “no logs”. Any VPN can claim not to keep logs. Prefer providers that publish independent audits of their no-logs policy (for example by Deloitte, KPMG, PwC, Cure53 or Securitum) and read what the privacy policy says they do collect.
- Features you will use. On Windows, look for a kill switch (blocks traffic if the VPN drops), split tunnelling (choose which apps use the VPN), modern protocols such as WireGuard, and obfuscation if your network blocks VPNs.
- Devices and price after the first term. Introductory prices often renew higher. Check the renewal price, the number of devices allowed and the refund window.
- Free plans. Proton VPN, Windscribe and TunnelBear have free plans with limits. Be wary of unknown free VPNs, which may fund themselves through your data.
- Local rules. VPN legality varies by country. In India, the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) issued directions in April 2022 requiring VPN providers to keep customer records for five years; several providers, including ExpressVPN, Surfshark and Proton VPN, removed their physical Indian servers and now offer virtual Indian locations hosted abroad.
VPNs for Windows compared
| VPN | Company and base | Best for | Pricing model (Oct 2026) | Devices |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ExpressVPN | Express Technologies Ltd (British Virgin Islands); Kape Technologies | Ease of use with audited infrastructure | Subscription; 30-day guarantee for new users | 10 to 14 by tier |
| IPVanish | Ziff Davis (US) | Many devices on one account | Subscription; 30-day money-back guarantee | Unlimited |
| Hotspot Shield | Pango Group | Simple apps with a proprietary protocol | Subscription; money-back guarantee | 10 |
| CyberGhost | CyberGhost S.R.L. (Romania); Kape Technologies | Beginners wanting many server choices | Subscription; money-back guarantee | 7 |
| NordVPN | Nordvpn S.A.; Nord Security | Feature-rich all-rounder | Subscription | Check vendor |
| VyprVPN | Certida, LLC | Networks that block VPNs (Chameleon) | Subscription; 30-day money-back | 10 |
| Surfshark | Surfshark B.V. (Netherlands); Nord Security | Households with many devices | Subscription; 30-day refund | Unlimited |
| TunnelBear | TunnelBear LLC (Canada); McAfee | Beginners; small free allowance | Free 2 GB a month; paid plans | Unlimited |
| Mullvad | Mullvad VPN AB (Sweden) | Anonymous sign-up, simple flat price | Flat monthly price | 5 |
| Windscribe | Windscribe Limited (Canada) | Generous free plan; build-your-own plan | Free 10 GB a month; paid plans | Unlimited |
| Private Internet Access | Private Internet Access, Inc. (US); Kape Technologies | Open-source apps and many locations | Subscription; 30-day guarantee for new users | Unlimited |
| Speedify | Connectify, Inc. (US) | Combining Wi-Fi and mobile data for stability | Free tier; paid plans | Up to 5 (Individual) |
| Proton VPN | Proton AG (Switzerland) | Free plan with no data cap; audited | Free plan; paid plans | 1 on free plan |
The 13 VPNs in detail
1. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is run by Express Technologies Ltd in the British Virgin Islands, and its privacy policy names Kape Technologies PLC as the ultimate holding company; Kape bought it in 2021. It is sold in three tiers covering 10 to 14 devices, with servers in more than 100 countries, its own Lightway protocol, and RAM-only “TrustedServer” infrastructure that is wiped on every reboot. Its no-logs claims and apps have been audited by firms including PwC, KPMG and Cure53. The Windows app is easy to use, and browser extensions add control from Chrome, as the original article noted.
2. IPVanish
IPVanish is owned by Ziff Davis, Inc., according to its website and privacy policy. It allows unlimited devices on one account and offers WireGuard and OpenVPN, a kill switch, split tunnelling, Double Hop and DNS leak protection, with apps for Windows, Mac, Linux, ChromeOS, mobile, routers and streaming devices. Higher plans now bundle antivirus. A 30-day money-back guarantee applies. The original article’s figures (1,300 servers, 75 locations, 10 devices) are out of date.
3. Hotspot Shield
Hotspot Shield is provided by Anchorfree, LLC or Pango GmbH, part of the Pango Group, according to its privacy policy. Its site lists servers in more than 80 countries with over 115 virtual locations, its own Hydra protocol, and coverage for 10 devices per account on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android and smart TVs. A money-back guarantee applies to subscriptions bought directly. Treat the site’s “fastest VPN” wording as marketing rather than an independent test.
4. CyberGhost
CyberGhost S.R.L. is based in Bucharest, Romania, and is part of Kape Technologies. It covers seven devices per subscription and lists more than 9,600 servers in over 100 countries, with dedicated servers for torrenting. Deloitte has reviewed its no-logs policy more than once, and CyberGhost publishes a transparency report. Longer plans carry a longer money-back window than the monthly plan.
5. NordVPN
NordVPN is published by Nordvpn S.A. and is the best-known product of Nord Security, which also makes NordPass, NordLayer, NordLocker and the Saily eSIM service, and which merged with Surfshark in 2022 (the two brands still operate separately). It has apps for Windows and every major platform. NordVPN’s own website blocked our automated checks in October 2026, so confirm current server numbers, device limits, audit reports and prices there before buying. The original article’s figures (5,600 servers, six devices) are out of date.
6. VyprVPN
The original article said VyprVPN’s parent was in Switzerland and that it kept logs for 30 days. Both points are history. VyprVPN is now made by Certida, LLC, and it has had a no-logs policy since an independent audit by Leviathan Security in November 2018. It allows 10 simultaneous connections and includes its Chameleon protocol, designed to get through networks that block VPN traffic, at no extra cost. A 30-day money-back guarantee applies to all plans.
7. Surfshark
Surfshark B.V. moved to the Netherlands in 2021 and joined the Nord Security group in 2022. It allows unlimited devices and lists more than 4,500 servers, Dynamic MultiHop, obfuscated servers, a kill switch, split tunnelling (Bypasser) and the CleanWeb ad blocker. Deloitte has assessed its no-logs policy twice. Surfshark now sells bundles with antivirus and identity protection on top of the VPN.
8. TunnelBear
TunnelBear LLC is based in Toronto, Canada, and has been owned by McAfee since 2018. It has a free plan with 2 GB of data a month and paid plans with unlimited data and unlimited devices. Features include a kill switch (VigilantBear), split tunnelling (SplitBear), an obfuscation mode (GhostBear) and WireGuard. Cure53 has audited it, and TunnelBear says it commissions yearly audits. The original article’s tagline about privacy remains part of its branding.
9. Mullvad VPN
Mullvad VPN AB is based in Gothenburg, Sweden. It is known for anonymous accounts: you get an account number rather than signing up with an email address. According to Mullvad’s pricing page in October 2026, it charges one flat rate of €5 a month (including VAT) whether you pay for a month or a year, and one account works on up to five devices. It has apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android, and it does not offer port forwarding. The original article’s “100% security” wording has been removed; no VPN can promise that.
10. Windscribe
Windscribe Limited is registered in Ontario, Canada. Its free plan gives 10 GB a month once you confirm an email address, paid plans allow unlimited devices, and a “Build a Plan” option lets you pay per location. It offers WireGuard, OpenVPN and IKEv2, a stealth mode, split tunnelling and an ad and malware blocker called R.O.B.E.R.T. In April 2025, a Greek court dismissed charges against Windscribe’s founder over a user’s activity, which Windscribe cites as support for its no-logs policy.
11. Private Internet Access
Private Internet Access (PIA) is run by Private Internet Access, Inc., based in Denver, US, and has belonged to Kape Technologies since 2019; its privacy policy names Kape alongside PIA. PIA says its apps are 100% open source, its no-logs policy has been reviewed in several independent audits by Deloitte, and one account covers unlimited devices. It lists servers in 104 countries and supports WireGuard. A 30-day money-back guarantee applies to new users.
12. Speedify
Speedify, from Connectify, Inc. in Philadelphia, is less a privacy VPN than a connection-bonding service: it combines Wi-Fi, mobile data, Ethernet and satellite links to make your connection faster and more stable, with automatic failover if one link drops. It encrypts traffic and has apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android. Its privacy policy says it records connection metadata such as start time, duration and data used, but not the websites you visit.
13. Proton VPN
Proton VPN, from Proton AG in Geneva, Switzerland, has one of the few free plans with no data limit, though the free plan is limited to one device and a small set of countries. Paid plans add Secure Core multi-hop servers, NetShield ad and malware blocking, a Stealth protocol for restrictive networks, port forwarding and more than 20,000 servers in over 140 countries. Its apps are open source, and Securitum has audited its no-logs policy several times, most recently in 2026.
Removed since our earlier version
- VPNArea: went offline in June 2024 without an official announcement, as reported by Cloudwards, TechRadar and Tom’s Guide. Its website still did not load in October 2026. Do not pay for it; see our VPNArea article for what happened.
- Buffered VPN: its website did not respond to repeated connection attempts in October 2026, and we found no official, current download. Treat it as unavailable.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a good free VPN for Windows?
Proton VPN’s free plan has no data cap but works on one device. Windscribe gives 10 GB a month and TunnelBear 2 GB a month. Free plans are fine for occasional public Wi-Fi use; for daily use, a paid plan from an audited provider is safer.
Does Windows have a built-in VPN?
Windows can connect to a VPN server through its own settings, but it does not include a VPN service. You still need a provider, and most people find the provider’s own Windows app easier and more complete (for example, with a kill switch).
Are VPNs legal in India?
Using a VPN is not banned in India, but VPN providers are subject to CERT-In’s 2022 directions on record-keeping, and anything illegal remains illegal over a VPN. VPN legality varies by country, so check local rules when travelling.
Which VPN companies share an owner?
Kape Technologies owns ExpressVPN, CyberGhost and Private Internet Access. Nord Security owns NordVPN and is merged with Surfshark. TunnelBear belongs to McAfee and IPVanish to Ziff Davis.
Do I still need antivirus if I use a VPN?
Yes. A VPN encrypts your connection but does not scan files or block most malware. Keep Windows Security or another antivirus running alongside it.
Provider details were checked in October 2026 against each provider’s official website, pricing page and privacy policy, Apple’s App Store listing for NordVPN, published audit announcements, and our refreshed individual reviews. VPN plans and ownership change often, so confirm details with the provider before you buy.
