You read your school work on your PC, watch movies, play games and chat with your friends. Have you ever had a feeling that someone is spying on your Internet activities? Or have you ever tried watching a show and then you get that irritating message: “This content is not available in your country”? It is annoying, isn’t it?
All this can be corrected by a simple tool. It is referred to as VPN or Virtual Private Network. Consider VPN as an invisibility cloak to your computer. It is a straightforward application which masks your internet activity and keeps your personal data safe against hackers, advertisers, and even your internet service provider. The best VPN for PC may appear complex, yet it is not. We will simplify it all, examine what is the best available to your PC, and select the most appropriate without any jargon. At the conclusion of this, you will be a guru!
Why You Seriously Need a VPN for Your PC
The question you may ask is, do I need VPN? In contemporary society the response is, Yes. VPN is no longer such a nice-to-have tool, but a must-have.These are the four primary reasons why you should have a VPN now:
- Privacy: As you surf the internet, your Internet Service Provider (such as Jio, Airtel, or BSNL) is able to view each and every site you visit. They are able to follow your routine and even sell this information to marketers. VPN encrypts your connection, and this is akin to sending your data through a secret and unbreakable tunnel. Your ISP knows that you are online but they do not know what you are doing.
- Security: Have you ever used your laptop on Wi-Fi in a cafe, at the airport, or train station? Such public networks are extremely convenient as well as dangerous. Hackers are able to spy on you very easily and steal your passwords, bank accounts and other personal information. VPN provides you with a secure cover or wrap around your information and you become invisible to the digital robbers within the same network.
- Entertainment: You subscribe to Netflix, yet you do not realize that you are just viewing the Indian library. There are thousands of various movies and shows in the US, UK and Japan. VPN enables you to modify the virtual location of your PC. In a single click, you can appear in New York and begin watching the whole US Netflix library. It is compatible with Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and many others as well!
- Blocked Content: In some cases, colleges or offices block some websites and applications (such as gaming sites or social media). VPN will assist you to avoid these restrictions with ease. It also assists you to have access to websites that may be blocked in the country due to any reason.
10 Best VPN for PC – Reviewed & Compared
Prepared to have some fun? We have tested the best VPN for PC to enable you to choose the one that is suitable for your computer.
1. ExpressVPN
- Verdict: The gold standard of VPNs, it is really fast, robust, and very simple to use.
ExpressVPN is the VPN to use when you want a VPN that works, that works perfectly and every time. It has established a reputation of being the best in business and rightly so. The application is very basic and clear and thus it is ideal for a first-time user. However, it is full of punch underneath. It is well-known because of the blistering speeds, and this implies that you can watch 4K videos and play online games without any annoying lag or buffering. It is the best VPN for PCs. ExpressVPN is also a global streaming service unblocking champion. It always collaborates with Netflix, Disney+, and so on. Although it is also among the more costly ones, you are getting the quality, reliability and peace of mind that cannot be matched. It is the VPN to set and forget when it comes to never failing you.
- Works on: Windows, Mac, Linux
- Speed & Performance: Great. It is one of the most stable and fast VPNs out there.
- Streaming/Unblocking: Premier. Simply unblock Netflix (US, UK, Japan), Disney+, BBC iPlayer etc.
- Price: It is quite premium, the price is about $8.32/month (roughly ₹690) on the 1-year plan.
Pros & Cons:
- Pros: Blisteringly fast, very simple to operate, streaming friendly, good security.
- Cons: Higher price than other companies, less number of devices used at the same time (8 devices).
Link: https://www.expressvpn.com/
2. NordVPN
- Verdict: NordVPN is a very quick, safe VPN and is frequently compared to ExpressVPN.
Its principal selling point is its speed. The NordLynx protocol is custom and maintains a high level of performance but also ensures the safety of your data. The application has a modern appearance, and it is possible to choose a server on an interactive map of the world. NordVPN is not merely a VPN but an entire security pack. The Threat Protection feature blocks ads, trackers, and malicious websites and even scans downloads to check whether they are infected with viruses. It is excellent in streaming and it has over 6,000 servers across the globe. Such an extensive network implies that you will never have to wait long to get a server. It is a bit more complicated than ExpressVPN, but it has additional features, and the price is a bit lower, thus making it a good overall option.
- Works on: Windows, Mac, Linux
- Speed & Performance: Lightning speed, particularly under its NordLynx protocol.
- Streaming /Unblocking: Great. It is compatible with Netflix, Hotstar, Prime Video, etc.
- Price: Very good value. Costs approximately $3.99/month ( ₹330 ) on a two-year plan.
Pros & Cons:
- Pros: Amazing speeds, massive server network, robust security add-ons, excellent price.
- Cons: The PC app map interface is somewhat clunky, which can be annoying to some users.
Link: https://nordvpn.com/cybersec-site/
3. Surfshark
- Verdict: The best affordable VPN with unlimited connections and good performance.
The only killer feature that Surfshark has brought to the VPN market is that it can be used on an unlimited number of devices under one subscription. That is amazing. you can put it on your PC, your Mac, your phone, your tablet, and even share it with your family, all at a low price. However, do not assume that it is a poor performer due to its low price. Surfshark is surprisingly fast and competent.It is the best VPN for PCs. It consistently bypasses large streaming platforms and has all the necessary protection features such as a kill switch and no-logs policy. It even has an ad-blocker known as CleanWeb. The app is colourful, very bright, and easy to navigate. In terms of the bang per dollar ratio, Surfshark is the clear winner, provided that you do not mind the core functions.
- Works on: Windows, Mac, Linux
- Speed and Performances: Very good. Quick enough to stream HD/4K and Browse in general.
- Streaming/Unblocking: Excellent. Compatible with Netflix, Disney+ and others.
- Price: Frequently priced at approximately $2.49/month (approx. ₹210 ) when signed up to a 2-year contract.
Pros & Cons:
- Pros: No limit on the number of devices connected, very cheap, easy to use, good performance.
- Cons: They are not always as consistent as their best competitors in terms of speeds.
Link: https://surfshark.com/
4. CyberGhost
- Verdict: The best affordable VPN with unlimited connections and good performance.
The only killer feature that Surfshark has brought to the VPN market is that it can be used on an unlimited number of devices under one subscription. That is amazing. you can put it on your PC, your Mac, your phone, your tablet, and even share it with your family, all at a low price. However, do not assume that it is poor performer due to its low price. Surfshark is surprisingly fast and competent. It consistently bypasses large streaming platforms and has all the necessary protection features such as a kill switch and no-logs policy. It even has an ad-blocker known as CleanWeb. The app is colourful, very bright, and easy to navigate. In terms of the bang per dollar ratio, Surfshark is the clear winner, provided that you do not mind the core functions.
- Works on: Windows, Mac, Linux
- Speed and Performances: Very good. Quick enough to stream HD/4K and Browse in general.
- Streaming/Unblocking: Excellent. Compatible with Netflix, Disney+ and others.
- Price: Frequently priced at approximately $2.49/month (approx. ₹210 ) when signed up to a 2-year contract.
Pros & Cons:
- Pros: No limit on the number of devices connected, very cheap, easy to use, good performance.
- Cons: They are not always as consistent as their best competitors in terms of speeds.
Link: https://www.cyberghostvpn.com/
5. ProtonVPN
- Verdict: ProtonVPN is a dream of a security expert and has privacy as its priority.
ProtonVPN is the work of the same team that has developed ProtonMail, the popular secure email service. It has its headquarters in Switzerland where some of the most powerful privacy laws are present. The service provides an additional layer of security with its Secure Core system that channels traffic to multiple servers in privacy-respecting nations. It is the best VPN for PCs. Its premium plans are expensive, but the free one is one of the best. It does not have data caps, although it is slower and does not have as many server locations as the paid ones. To conclude, ProtonVPN is an excellent option when security is the most important aspect to you.
- Works on: Windows, Mac, Linux
- Speed and Performance: Fast speeds, particularly on paid plans.
- Streaming/Unblocking: It is very effective on its paid plan “Plus”, but it is blocked on the free version.
- Price: Very good free plan. The minimum price of the paid plans is approximately $4.99/month (approx. ₹415).
Pros & Cons:
- Pros: Superb free version with unlimited data, very high security-oriented, located in privacy-friendly Switzerland.
- Cons: More advanced plans have the best features, and may be complicated to a novice.
Link: https://protonvpn.com/
6. Private Internet Access (PIA)
- Verdict: There is a great deal of choice with power users like you. PIA is a very customizable and large server network.
Private Internet Access or PIA is a VPN that has been relied upon in the VPN industry since more than a decade ago. The key advantages of PIA are their flexibility and the huge network of servers, having tens of thousands of servers in different parts of the world. The PC application is full of customization options, so the more advanced user can adjust the level of encryption, connection protocols and other settings to their specific preference. No need to fear, it is also an excellent out-of-the-box solution to the novice. The no-logs policy of PIA has been tested and proven in the court, thus you can rely on their privacy assertions. It does well as a streamer and overall web browser. In case you enjoy being in charge of your software and desire to have access to a huge number of servers, PIA is a great and very respectable option.
- Works on: Windows, Mac, Linux
- Speed & Performance: Good and steady speeds.
- Streaming/Unblocking: Good. Consistently bypasses Netflix and other big sites.
- Price: It is very affordable, and plans usually begin at about $2.19/month (approx. ₹185).
Pros & Cons:
- Pros: Massive network of servers, extremely customizable, excellent reputation of no-logs, excellent price.
- Cons: The number of available settings may be too high to impress a total novice.
Link: https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/
7. IPVanish
- Verdict:
IPVanish is an American VPN provider that is special in the sense that it operates and maintains all its servers. The vast majority of VPNs lease the servers and IPVanish operates its own hardware. This puts it in a better position to control security and performance, which is a major plus to anyone prioritizing privacy. Similarly to Surfshark, it has unlimited simultaneous connections, which is very affordable. The PC application is tidy and displays granular real-time information regarding your connection, and this will please tech users. It provides good speeds, which are quite sufficient to stream HD and play online games. Although its US jurisdiction may be a cause of concern to some privacy purists, its zero-logging policy guarantees your privacy.
- Works on: Windows, Mac, Linux (Manual setup)
- Speed & Performance: Fast and stable speeds in its network.
- Streaming/Unblocking: Good. Compatible with US Netflix, and may work or not with other international libraries.
- Price: It is competitively priced beginning at approximately $3.33/month ( ₹275).
Pros & Cons:
- Pros: No limit to the number of devices connected, has its own server network, decent speeds.
- Cons: Headquartered in the US (not the best place in terms of privacy), performance of streaming may vary.
Link: https://www.ipvanish.com/
8. Windscribe
- Verdict: The most generous free VPN with a lot of data.
Windscribe is the service to start with in case you are not willing to invest in a paid plan. It has one of the most generous free plans: 10GB of data per month (quite a lot compared to most competitors), and you can also connect to servers in more than 10 countries. This usually suffices in case of occasional safe browsing, reading of emails, or viewing of some short videos. The unlimited data and numerous locations can be accessed in the paid version. It is the best VPN for PCs. Among the most impressive features of Windscribe, there is the one named R.O.B.E.R.T. that allows blocking advertisements, trackers, malware, and even certain types of content, such as social media or gambling websites. It provides unlimited connections as well.
- Works on: Windows, Mac, Linux
- Speed & Performance: Average, but may be slower on free plan during the peak hours.
- Streaming/Unblocking: The support of streaming is available only to paid users and may be somewhat unreliable.
- Price: Great free package. The paid plans begin at approximately $5.75/month (₹480).
Pros & Cons:
- Pros: Fantastic free plan (10GB/month), strong ad-blocker, unlimited connections.
- Cons: It is not the fastest VPN, it does not always stream well.
Link: https://windscribe.com/
9. TunnelBear
- Verdict: TunnelBear is the easiest and entertaining VPN, which is suitable for complete beginners.
The mission of the company is to make online privacy easy and available to all. This is done in much charm and humor. The whole app is themed on a friendly bear, watch a digital bear dig its way across a world map to your selected server destination! TunnelBear is quite simple. It only has a single on/off switch, and a dropdown menu of locations. This is what makes it the least scary VPN in this list. TunnelBear is a security-trusted company because it is owned by a security giant, McAfee. TunnelBear has a free service, however, it is extremely limited, as it provides 500MB of data monthly that is just sufficient to do a small test. It is a fantastic option in case you are looking to get a simple, easy-to-use VPN that you can use occasionally to protect your connection over free Wi-Fi.
- Works on: Windows, Mac
- Speed & Performance: Fast enough to Browse and light.
- Streaming/Unblocking: It is not its strong point. It has problems unlocking most of the major streaming sites.
- Price: Offers very little free plan. Paid subscriptions begin at $3.33/month (Approx. ₹275).
Pros & Cons:
- Pros: Very easy and enjoyable to use, suitable to a novice, recommended by a large security corporation.
- Cons: The free plan is very limited, not suitable to stream, no advanced features.
Link: www.tunnelbear.com
10. Atlas VPN
- Verdict: Atlas VPN is one of the newest virtual private networks (VPN) with a good free package and a streaming orientation.
Soon after the parent company of NordVPN acquired it, Atlas VPN gained more users. Its app is not cluttered and straightforward, and new users can start immediately. Similar to ProtonVPN and Windscribe, it also has a free plan with 5GB of data monthly, which is a decent method of trying the service. It is the best VPN for PCs. The paid one provides unlimited data, additional servers, and is quite appropriate when it comes to unlocking streaming services. It also offers the data breach monitor, which notifies you when your email leaks online. The top plan will allow you to connect as many devices simultaneously, and therefore it is another good value in securing all your devices.
- Works on: Atlas VPN is compatible with Windows and Mac.
- Speed & Performance: The speeds are also good, particularly on paid plans.
- Streaming/Unblocking: It is mostly strong in streaming: it is compatible with Netflix and other services on the premium plan.
- Price: The prices are quite cheap, approximately $1.83 per month (approx. ₹150 rupees).
Pros & Cons:
- Pros: The reputation of its parent company can be used to its advantage. Generally, Atlas VPN is a good option to consider by any user who wants a free or budget VPN with decent streaming options.
- Cons: Smaller server network, newer company with less of a track record.
Link: www.atlasvpn.com
Best at VPN for Windows vs. Mac PC
Honestly? The argument of which would be better on a Windows PC than on a Mac is largely a non-issue now. Each of the best VPN services on the list offers great, customized Windows and macOS apps. Both platforms are the same when it comes to core features, security, and performance.
The only things you would find different are minor design changes to make the app feel natural in the operating system it is in. What PC you have, whether it is a Dell or MacBook, does not matter, the best VPN for PCs is the one that suits your needs (budget, speed, streaming).
Free vs. Paid VPNs for PC: What’s Worth It?
Do you desire a VPN and do not want to spend on it? This is what many people would like to know and in most cases it is not a good idea. A free VPN is an enticing offer, but it has its costs.
- Free VPNs: Select these to use only on very casual, non-critical tasks. As an example, you may spend five minutes with one to read the balance in your bank account in a cafe. The majority of free VPNs restrict you in three critical aspects; they have slow connections, have few servers to choose from, and restrict data usage (e.g. 500MB per month).
- Paid VPNs: This is the secure option of those who use VPN frequently. With a few hundred rupees a month, you can get unlimited data, high speed, multiple server points, 24/7 customer care and most importantly, you are assured that your privacy is indeed secured. It is well worth the small investment to get the security and freedom you have.
Final Thoughts & Recommendations
Choosing the proper best VPN for PCs to use in your PC is an intelligent and simple method to improve your online existence. VPN secures your privacy, prevents threats, and opens new content.
The following are three best choices.
- To get the best with no compromises, go with ExpressVPN.
- In case you desire an amazing all-rounder with the best speeds and features, choose NordVPN.
- Surfshark is the obvious choice when you are limited by the budget and have plenty of devices to secure.
Whichever option you pick, you are making a mighty stride towards a safer and more liberated internet. Be safe, happy browsing!
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FAQs
Is it possible to use VPN in India?
Yes. The use of VPN is legal in India when you have genuine purposes such as privacy or accessing content that is blocked in your location. Even using VPN, it is still illegal to break the law.
Will VPN make my connection slow?
Yes, but not much. Encryption is time consuming. A high-quality service like ExpressVPN or NordVPN does not slow down your internet significantly, and you most likely will not notice it.
Is it possible to have a single VPN plan that will service my computer and phone?
Yes. All the paid VPNs on this list allow you to use multiple devices simultaneously. Others such as Surfshark and IPVanish even permit unlimited devices.
What will be the indication that the VPN is working?
It’s simple. Check the IP address at Google first before you connect, by typing in what is my IP address. Record the IP address and location. Once you are connected to a VPN server (let us say in the UK), go back to the page.
