Best VPNs for Windows 11

The Best VPNs for Windows 11

NordVPN: Best overall for Windows 11

NordVPN is the strongest all-round Windows 11 VPN on this page. The desktop app is fast, tidy and easy to live with, but the real draw is that it adds more than a basic VPN tunnel. Threat Protection Pro helps block malicious sites, trackers and other junk, while Meshnet is useful if you want secure access to another computer or private LAN-style connections.

See NordVPN Deal Best for privacy, speed and everyday use

Why it stands out on Windows 11:

• NordLynx keeps speeds high: that matters if you want a fast Windows 11 VPN for streaming, browsing or large downloads.
• Two kinds of kill switch on Windows: you can protect the whole connection or close specific apps if the VPN drops.
• Meshnet is genuinely useful: good for remote access, secure file transfers, or private gaming sessions with friends.

Best for: Overall performance, privacy and ease of use

Surfshark: Best value for most households

Surfshark is the Windows 11 VPN I would point most budget-conscious buyers towards. The app is clean, the feature set is strong, and unlimited simultaneous connections make it easy to cover a laptop, desktop, phone, tablet and smart TV under one account without juggling logins.

See Surfshark Deal Best value if you need lots of devices covered

Why it stands out on Windows 11:

• Unlimited devices: one of the easiest ways to cover your whole setup without overspending.
• Bypasser on Windows: handy split tunnelling if you want some apps to use the VPN and others to stay outside it.
• CleanWeb and Dynamic MultiHop: useful extras if you want a cleaner browsing experience and more routing options.

Best for: Value, family use and multi-device setups

ExpressVPN: Best if you want the simplest app

ExpressVPN remains one of the easiest Windows 11 VPN apps to recommend to beginners. It is tidy, stable and straightforward, which matters if you do not want to fiddle with settings every time you open your laptop. The Lightway protocol helps keep connections quick, and the app still feels more polished than most alternatives.

Visit ExpressVPN Best if you want something simple and reliable

Why it stands out on Windows 11:

• Lightway is quick to reconnect: handy if you move between Wi-Fi networks or close and reopen your laptop regularly.
• Network Lock: ExpressVPN's kill switch helps keep your traffic protected if the connection drops.
• Split tunnelling on Windows: useful for streaming, banking sites, or any app that behaves badly behind a VPN.

Best for: Beginners and people who want a fuss-free app

CyberGhost: Best for streaming on Windows 11

CyberGhost makes a lot of sense if your main goal is streaming. The Windows app is easy to navigate, and its streaming-optimised servers are clearly labelled, so you spend less time guessing and more time actually watching something. Smart Rules are useful too, especially if you want the app to auto-connect when specific programs open.

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Why it stands out on Windows 11:

• Streaming-optimised servers: a good fit if you want a Windows 11 streaming VPN without endless trial and error.
• Smart Rules: you can tell the app to launch or connect in specific situations, which feels handy rather than gimmicky.
• Longer refund window on longer plans: more time to test it properly on your own PC.

Best for: Streaming, media use and easy automation

PureVPN: Best for flexible setup

PureVPN is worth a look if you want a Windows 11 VPN with a bit more room to customise. It offers split tunnelling on Windows, a 31-day money-back guarantee, and an independently assessed no-logs policy. It is not as slick as NordVPN or ExpressVPN, but it covers the essentials well.

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Why it stands out on Windows 11:

• Split tunnelling on Windows: useful if you want to route only some apps through the VPN.
• Audited no-logs claims: good to see if privacy is your main concern.
• Good feature depth: a sensible option if you like tweaking settings more than the average user.

Best for: Customisation, privacy-first buyers and mixed use

hide.me: Best for advanced control

hide.me is not the most mainstream option, but it has a strong Windows feature in Stealth Guard. This lets you bind selected apps, or even your whole internet connection, to the VPN so they only work when the secure tunnel is active. If you like granular control, that is a genuinely useful feature.

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Why it stands out on Windows 11:

• Stealth Guard: a smart option if you want to force certain apps to use the VPN every time.
• Plenty of protocol choice: useful for people who like more control over how they connect.
• Ten simultaneous connections: enough for a typical home setup without much fuss.

Best for: Advanced users and tighter app-level control

Compare Windows 11 VPNs

Windows 11 built-in VPN vs a proper VPN app

Windows 11 does have a built-in VPN client, but that is not the same thing as a full VPN service. It is really just a way to connect to a VPN you already have details for, such as a workplace setup or a third-party provider you configure manually.

• The built-in client is fine for manual setups: useful if your office gives you server details and you are happy to manage everything yourself.
• A dedicated app is easier for most people: you get server lists, kill switches, split tunnelling, leak protection, simpler updates and a cleaner interface.
• The best VPN app for Windows 11 saves time: especially if you switch servers often, stream on your laptop, or use a VPN for gaming on Windows 11.

That is why most people searching for the best VPN for Windows 11 are better off with a proper app, not the default Windows connection screen.

Why use a VPN on Windows 11?

A Windows 11 VPN is not a magic fix for every privacy issue, but it is still one of the simplest ways to make your connection less exposed on everyday networks.

• Safer public Wi-Fi: useful when you are on trains, in cafés, hotels or airports and do not want your traffic sitting out in the open.
• Help with traffic-based throttling: a VPN can make it harder for your ISP to classify what you are doing, which may help in some throttling cases.
• Better privacy for P2P and general browsing: your IP is hidden from the sites and peers you connect to.
• Useful for streaming and travel: if you need a Windows 11 streaming VPN, the better apps make switching locations quick and painless.
• Extra control over app traffic: split tunnelling is particularly handy on Windows, where one app may need the VPN and another may work better without it.

It is worth saying one thing clearly: a VPN does not replace your Windows privacy settings. Windows still has its own diagnostic data and personalised experience settings, so it is worth reviewing those separately too.

Setup tips for a Windows 11 VPN

If you want the best results from a Windows 11 VPN app, these are the settings worth checking first:

1. Install the proper Windows app: do not rely on a browser extension if you want full-device protection. Extensions only cover browser traffic.
2. Use a modern protocol: WireGuard, NordLynx or Lightway usually make the most sense on Windows 11 because they are fast and reconnect quickly.
3. Turn on the kill switch: it is one of the most useful privacy features on any Windows VPN app.
4. Use split tunnelling carefully: ideal for games, local apps or banking sites that do not always behave well behind a VPN.
5. Run a quick leak check after setup: especially if you plan to keep the VPN on all day or use it for file sharing.

How we tested these Windows 11 VPNs

This section is new, because it is the bit a lot of VPN round-ups skip. We do not just look at headline features. For a page comparing Windows 11 VPNs, the Windows app matters more than anything else.

• App quality first: we look for a desktop app that is stable, quick to navigate and not cluttered with filler.
• Useful features over gimmicks: kill switch, split tunnelling, leak protection and simple protocol control matter more than flashy marketing.
• Clear day-to-day fit: we consider streaming, browsing, public Wi-Fi use, remote access and general desktop practicality.
• Refund terms and trust signals: a decent refund window and some level of external verification matter, especially on a page about privacy tools.

For the full methodology, read our How We Rank VPNs page. If you are still on an older PC, our best VPNs for Windows 10 guide is worth a look as well.

Safety warnings and common mistakes

A few things still catch Windows users out, even with a good VPN installed.

• Do not install cracked VPN software: modified installers are one of the easiest ways to end up with malware on your PC.
• Be wary of random proxy tools in app stores: a polished icon does not mean the service is trustworthy.
• Test for leaks after setup: DNS leaks and simple misconfiguration can undermine an otherwise good VPN.
• Do not expect a VPN to fix every privacy setting in Windows: you still need to review your own Windows account, telemetry and sharing settings.