The best VPN for Windows depends on what you need it to do. For a broad everyday option, NordVPN is a strong starting point; Proton VPN is the privacy-focused choice, ExpressVPN emphasizes a simpler app, and Private Internet Access suits people who want more controls. This shortlist also includes IPVanish and CyberGhost, which appear in Windows comparisons, but the evidence here does not support ranking them above the better-documented picks.
Windows compatibility, speed, streaming access and subscription cost vary by provider and test. Check your Windows version and device architecture, and compare the full amount billed and renewal terms before subscribing.
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Which VPN should you choose for Windows?
| VPN | Best fit | What the cited Windows evidence says |
|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | Everyday use | Gizmodo ranked it first overall in its September 2026 Windows 11 round and measured a 7.8% average speed loss across three locations. [Gizmodo] |
| Proton VPN | Privacy focus or a free tier | Security.org named it its Windows privacy pick. Tom’s Guide reported unlimited bandwidth for its free tier, but limited locations and no streaming support in the version it reviewed. [Security.org] [Tom’s Guide] |
| ExpressVPN | A simpler app | TechRadar characterized its app as especially easy to use. Its listed offer was $2.99 per month on a two-year plan at the time of its update; that monthly equivalent should not be read as a guaranteed renewal price. [TechRadar] |
| Private Internet Access | More configuration options | Security.org and Gizmodo include it in their Windows shortlists. Tom’s Guide describes extensive controls, Windows 10/11 support, and a beta Windows ARM app; verify current compatibility and connection limits with the provider. [Security.org] [Gizmodo] [Tom’s Guide] |
| IPVanish | An additional option to investigate | Security.org includes it in its six-service Windows comparison, but the reviewed material does not establish a distinctive use case for ranking it higher. [Security.org] |
| CyberGhost | An additional option to investigate | Gizmodo includes it in its six Windows recommendations, but the reviewed material does not provide enough comparable detail to identify it as a top pick for a specific need. [Gizmodo] |
The headline’s seven picks should not imply that every service is equally well supported by comparable testing: the evidence most clearly supports the four choices above, while IPVanish and CyberGhost are additional candidates rather than proven seventh-place winners. The reviewed sources do not establish a seventh distinct provider with enough Windows-specific evidence for a responsible recommendation.
How to interpret Windows speed and streaming tests
Speed results describe a particular setup, not a guaranteed experience on every PC or connection. In Gizmodo’s September 2026 test, a Windows 11 desktop connected over Ethernet had a no-VPN baseline of 190.36 Mbps download, 19.37 Mbps upload and 10 ms ping. The same round measured 7.8% average speed loss for NordVPN and 7.8% for ExpressVPN across three locations. [Gizmodo]
#1 Best Overall
- 【Five Gigabit Ports】1 Gigabit WAN Port plus 2 Gigabit WAN/LAN Ports plus 2 Gigabit LAN Port. Up to 3 WAN ports optimize bandwidth usage through one device.
- 【One USB WAN Port】Mobile broadband via 4G/3G modem is supported for WAN backup by connecting to the USB port. For complete list of compatible 4G/3G modems, please visit TP-Link website.
- 【Abundant Security Features】Advanced firewall policies, DoS defense, IP/MAC/URL filtering, speed test and more security functions protect your network and data.
- 【Highly Secure VPN】Supports up to 20× LAN-to-LAN IPsec, 16× OpenVPN, 16× L2TP, and 16× PPTP VPN connections.
- Security - SPI Firewall, VPN Pass through, FTP/H.323/PPTP/SIP/IPsec ALG, DoS Defence, Ping of Death and Local Management. Standards and Protocols IEEE 802.3, 802.3u, 802.3ab, IEEE 802.3x, IEEE 802.1q
In that test set, NordVPN opened 14 of 14 streaming platforms and Proton VPN 10 of 14. Gizmodo reported that NordVPN needed a browser extension with location spoofing to open Disney+ in its round. These results reflect the platforms, method and time of that evaluation; they do not guarantee access to any service in another region or at a later date. [Gizmodo]
Other reviewers used different methods: Security.org assessed installation, interface responsiveness, feature access and background resource use on Windows 10 and 11, while The Independent describes testing apps on a patched Windows 11 laptop with speed, large downloads, streaming and logging checks. Because the platforms and test procedures differ, treat each outlet’s findings as separate evidence rather than combining them into a single league table. [Security.org] [The Independent]
Rank #2
- 【DUAL BAND AX TRAVEL ROUTER】Products with US, UK, EU Plug; Dual band network with wireless speed 574Mbps (2.4G)+2402Mbps (5G); 2.5G Multi-gigabit WAN port and a 1G gigabit LAN port; USB 3.0 port; Wi-Fi 6 offers more than double the total Wi-Fi speed with the MT3000 VPN Router.
- 【VPN CLIENT & SERVER】OpenVPN and WireGuard are pre-installed, compatible with 30+ VPN service providers (active subscription required). Simply log in to your existing VPN account with our portable wifi device, and Beryl AX automatically encrypts all network traffic within the connected network. Max. VPN speed of 150 Mbps (OpenVPN); 300 Mbps (WireGuard). *Speed tests are conducted on a local network. Real-world speeds may differ depending on your network configuration.*
- 【OpenWrt 21.02 FIRMWARE】The Beryl AX is a portable wifi box and mini router that runs on OpenWrt 21.02 firmware. It supports more than 5,000 ready-made plug-ins for customization. Simply browse, install, and manage packages with our no-code interface within Beryl AX's Admin Panel.
- 【PROTECT YOUR NETWORK SECURITY】Our pocket wifi, unlike other vulnerable portable wifi hotspot for travel purposes supports WPA3 protocol–Preventive measures against password brute-force attacks; DNS over HTTPS & DNS over TLS–Protecting domain name system traffic and preventing data eavesdropping from malicious parties; IPv6–Built-in authentication for privacy protection, eliminating the need for network address translation.
- 【VPN CASCADING AT EASE】Surpassing the mediocre performance of most VPN routers for home usage, the Beryl AX is capable of hosting a VPN server and VPN client at the same time within the same device, enabling users to remote access local network resources like Wi-Fi printers or local web servers, and accessing the public internet as a VPN client simultaneously.
What to check before paying
Windows version and processor architecture
Confirm that the app supports your particular Windows version and, for an ARM-based PC, that the provider offers an app compatible with that architecture. Tom’s Guide describes Windows 10/11 support and a beta ARM app for Private Internet Access. Compatibility can change, so check the provider’s current requirements before purchase. [Tom’s Guide]
Full subscription cost and renewal terms
Compare the amount charged upfront, the length of the initial term and the renewal price—not just the advertised monthly equivalent. TechRadar listed ExpressVPN at $2.99 per month on a two-year plan at the time of its update; check the current checkout total and renewal terms for your region. [TechRadar]
Rank #3
- 【DUAL BAND WIFI 7 TRAVEL ROUTER】Products with US, UK, EU, AU Plug; Dual band network with wireless speed 688Mbps (2.4G)+2882Mbps (5G); Dual 2.5G Ethernet Ports (1x WAN and 1x LAN Port); USB 3.0 port.
- 【NETWORK CONTROL WITH TOUCHSCREEN SIMPLICITY】Slate 7’s touchscreen interface lets you scan QR codes for quick Wi-Fi, monitor speed in real time, toggle VPN on/off, and switch providers directly on the display. Color-coded indicators provide instant network status updates for Ethernet, Tethering, Repeater, and Cellular modes, offering a seamless, user-friendly experience.
- 【OpenWrt 23.05 FIRMWARE】The Slate 7 (GL-BE3600) is a high-performance Wi-Fi 7 travel router, built with OpenWrt 23.05 (Kernel 5.4.213) for maximum customization and advanced networking capabilities. With 512MB storage, total customization with open-source freedom and flexible installation of OpenWrt plugins.
- 【VPN CLIENT & SERVER】OpenVPN and WireGuard are pre-installed, compatible with 30+ VPN service providers (active subscription required). Simply log in to your existing VPN account with our portable wifi device, and Slate 7 automatically encrypts all network traffic within the connected network. Max. VPN speed of 100 Mbps (OpenVPN); 540 Mbps (WireGuard). *Speed tests are conducted on a local network. Real-world speeds may differ depending on your network configuration.*
- 【PERFECT PORTABLE WIFI ROUTER FOR TRAVEL】The Slate 7 is an ideal portable internet device perfect for international travel. With its mini size and travel-friendly features, the pocket Wi-Fi router is the perfect companion for travelers in need of a secure internet connectivity on the go in which includes hotels or cruise ships.
Simultaneous connections and free-plan limits
Check how many devices your plan can cover at once if you expect to protect a household rather than one PC. Tom’s Guide describes unlimited simultaneous connections for Private Internet Access, but confirm the live plan terms. Proton VPN’s free tier, as described by Tom’s Guide, has unlimited bandwidth but limited locations and no streaming support in the reviewed version; free and paid plans should not be assumed to offer the same features. [Tom’s Guide]
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What a VPN does—and what Windows can configure
A VPN routes traffic through a VPN service and can help protect traffic on the connection. It does not establish anonymity or guarantee access to every streaming catalog. Windows itself also has VPN profile capabilities that are separate from any one consumer app: Microsoft’s configuration guidance documents options such as auto-trigger profiles, including connecting automatically by app or name, always-on behavior, and avoiding VPN triggers on trusted networks. That guide is aimed at device configuration through VPNv2 CSP and Microsoft Intune; it does not mean every consumer VPN app exposes each option, and it does not cover VPN server deployment. [Microsoft Learn]
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 【AC1200 Dual-band Wireless Router】Simultaneous dual-band with wireless speed up to 300 Mbps (2.4GHz) + 867 Mbps (5GHz). 2.4GHz band can handles some simple tasks like emails or web browsing while bandwidth intensive tasks such as gaming or 4K video streaming can be handled by the 5GHz band.*Speed tests are conducted on a local network. Real-world speeds may differ depending on your network configuration.*
- 【Easy Setup】Please refer to the User Manual and the Unboxing & Setup video guide on Amazon for detailed setup instructions and methods for connecting to the Internet.
- 【Pocket-friendly】Lightweight design(145g) which designed for your next trip or adventure. Alongside its portable, compact design makes it easy to take with you on the go.
- 【Full Gigabit Ports】Gigabit Wireless Internet Router with 2 Gigabit LAN ports and 1 Gigabit WAN ports, ideal for lots of internet plan and allow you to connect your wired devices directly.
- 【Keep your Internet Safe】IPv6 supported. OpenVPN & WireGuard pre-installed, compatible with 30+ VPN service providers. Cloudflare encryption supported to protect the privacy.
Rank #4
- 【DUAL BAND WIFI 7 TRAVEL ROUTER】Products with US, UK, EU, AU Plug; Dual band network with wireless speed 688Mbps (2.4G)+2882Mbps (5G); Dual 2.5G Ethernet Ports (1x WAN and 1x LAN Port); USB 3.0 port. Enjoy gaming and streaming across up to 120 devices.
- 【HIGH SPEED VPN CLIENT & SERVER】Max. VPN speed of 1100 Mbps (WireGuard); 1000 Mbps (OpenVPN-DCO). OpenVPN and WireGuard are pre-installed, compatible with 30+ VPN service providers (active subscription required). Simply log in to your existing account with our portable wifi device, and Beryl 7 automatically encrypts all network traffic within the connected network. *Speed tests are conducted on a local network. Real-world speeds may differ depending on your network configuration.*
- 【OpenWrt 21.02 FIRMWARE】The Beryl 7 (GL-MT3600BE) is a high-performance Wi-Fi 7 travel router, built with OpenWrt 21.02 (Kernel 5.4.281) for maximum customization and advanced networking capabilities. With 512MB storage, total customization with open-source freedom and flexible installation of OpenWrt plugins.
- 【PERFECT PORTABLE WIFI ROUTER FOR TRAVEL】The Beryl 7 is an ideal international wireless portable wifi travel router. With its mini size and travel-friendly features, the pocket Wi-Fi router is the perfect companion for travelers in need of a secure internet connectivity on the go. portable wi-fi for traveling, hotels or cruise ships.
- 【PROTECT YOUR NETWORK SECURITY】Our pocket wifi, unlike other vulnerable portable wifi hotspot devices for travel purposes supports WPA3 protocol–Preventive measures against password brute-force attacks; DNS over HTTPS & DNS over TLS–Protecting domain name system traffic and preventing data eavesdropping from malicious parties; IPv6–Built-in authentication for privacy protection, eliminating the need for network address translation.
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