Best Free VPNs for Windows in 2024

At a Glance

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) encrypts your internet connection, protecting it from nosy third parties trying to monitor and track your online activities. While outsiders (hackers, the government, or your Internet Service Provider) can see that you are connected to a VPN, they can’t see what you do online while connected to the VPN.

A VPN also has the ability to temporarily assign a new IP address to your Windows PC. Since an IP address can be used to identify your geographical location, by spoofing your IP address, a VPN makes it appear as if you’re connecting from another part of the world. This grants you access to geo-blocked content that might normally be unavailable in your area.

Are There Free VPNs for Windows?

There are hundreds (at least) of VPNs that offer service for Windows PCs. Among these VPN providers are numerous “free” VPNs.

Let’s face it, free VPNs are attractive, mainly due to the word “free.” But, are free VPNs really free? Or, are there hidden costs and other “gotchas”?

Free VPNs usually lack the privacy protections of a paid VPN. You see many free VPNs pay the bills by tracking your online activities, and then selling that info to advertisers and other Nosy Nellies. Also, you’ll find that free VPN server options are greatly limited, and that your download speeds are greatly reduced once you connect to a free VPN’s network.

In this article, we’ll take a look at free VPNs for your Windows PC. We’ll also learn how to get free service from a reliable paid VPN provider. This is particularly handy if you’re only looking for short-term VPN protection.

Below, I discuss the top six VPNs for use with your Windows machine and how you can give their features a try for free.

How to Use a VPN With Your Windows PC

To protect your Windows PC with a VPN, do the following:

1. Subscribe to your VPN provider of choice (NordVPN is my top selection).
2. Install the provider’s Windows app to protect all of your online activities. You can also install a browser extension (when available) for your favorite browser to provide quick protection for your browser sessions. (CyberGhost offers free browser extensions.)
3. Log in to the VPN.
4. Select a VPN server and connect to it.
5. Enjoy your newly protected and enhanced online life.

WANT TO TRY A RELIABLE VPN RISK-FREE?

Every one of the VPNs on this list offers risk-free trials. You can use these VPNs with no restrictions for at least a month. (You do have to pay up front.) This is an excellent opportunity to try any of the reliable providers on this list with no risk whatsoever. (You can get your money back any time during the trial period, which is usually 30 days.)

Best “Free” VPNs for Windows PCs

During my work day, I use a Windows PC for many of my tasks. This means much of the testing I performed was on my daily-driver PC that I use both for work and play.

I found that the six providers listed below offered the best risk-free VPN service for Windows:

1. NordVPN: #1 VPN for Windows. This provider offers customers a risk-free 30-day money-back guaranteed trial of its considerable VPN services. NordVPN offers reliable online security and privacy protections, a large global server network, reliable app support, fast speeds, and more.
2. Surfshark: Best budget VPN for Windows. This VPN service boasts a fast-growing global server network, reliable app and customer support, and well-protected and fast connections. Offers a 30-day money-back trial period.
3. ExpressVPN: Premium VPN service for Windows. This VPN provider offers premium online security and protection, albeit for a premium price. A 30-day money-back guarantee gives you plenty of time to give the provider’s blazingly-fast connections, top-notch online security and privacy, and impressive server network a good try.
4. CyberGhost: Great VPN option for rookies. This easy-to-use VPN provider offers an extended 45-day money-back guarantee. This is more than enough time to try out the provider’s massive global server network, top-notch online security and privacy, and much more. This should prove to be an attractive option for rookie VPN users.
5. Private Internet Access (PIA): Reliable Windows VPN protection. PIA offers top-notch online security and privacy protection, keeping your Windows-related online travels totally incognito. PIA also provides reliable access to geo-controlled content around the globe and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
6. PrivateVPN: Mighty Mite server network. This provider delivers reliable connections to content in numerous locations around the globe and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. PrivateVPN’s connections are well protected by military-grade encryption. Their server numbers could be better, but they do have their servers strategically located.

I evaluated and ranked these VPNs using the following criteria:

• Risk-free money-back guarantee
• Windows app availability (logical, right?)
• Strong security and privacy protections
• Fast, no-data-cap connections
• Size of the provider’s global server network
• Customer support offerings

Here are my top six picks for the best “free” VPNs to use with your Windows PC.

1. NordVPN

May 2024

NordVPN is my #1 pick on this list thanks to its reliable Windows VPN app and comprehensive online security and privacy.

The provider’s 30-day money-back guarantee offers an excellent way to try out its top-notch VPN services without any risk.

NordVPN’s Windows app provides military-grade AES 256-bit encryption and offers an automatic kill switch and IP/DNS leak protection. In addition, it also blocks malware and ads, and offers an obfuscated server option that disguises your VPN activity as normal browser traffic.

The Windows app doesn’t put a huge hit on your PC’s system resources, and Chrome, Edge, and Firefox users can take advantage of the provider’s browser extensions. The provider also offers app support for macOS, iOS, Android, Android TV, Linux, and Amazon Fire device platforms. The provider’s services are also compatible with select routers.

NordVPN also offers apps for most popular device platforms, along with a smart DNS service that allows streaming boxes, gaming consoles, and other connected devices to access geo-blocked content, sans the encrypted protection of a VPN. Up to six devices can simultaneously connect to the provider’s servers on a single set of login credentials.

A strict no-server-logs-ever policy and Bitcoin payment option should ease most privacy concerns that you might have. NordVPN’s owned-and-operated servers are operated by the VPN’s employees, not outside contractors, keeping our personal data private. Plus, all NordVPN servers are run solely from volatile RAM, meaning no data is ever saved to a physical hard drive or SSD. This ensures that all server data is wiped upon shut down or a server restart.

The provider’s well-protected connections are super fast and deliver more than enough bandwidth for video streaming, gaming, and other popular online pastimes (depending on your normal connection speeds). You’ll never have to deal with data caps or bandwidth throttling when you use this provider.

NordVPN has nothing to be ashamed of in the global server coverage arena thanks to its 5,700+ servers in 60+ countries. The provider restricts P2P file sharing activity to a limited number of their servers.

NordVPN customer support includes email support, 24/7 live chat, and a searchable support library.

THE BEST “FREE” WINDOWS VPN:NordVPN provides top-notch Windows VPN protection for a reasonable price. The VPN service provides fast, well-protected connections, excellent privacy protections, and comprehensive customer support. A risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee is available.

Read my full review of NordVPN.

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2. Surfshark

Surfshark offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on all of its service options.

The provider’s Windows app sips gently from your PC’s system resources. Also available are Chrome, Edge, and Firefox browser extensions, along with apps for most other popular device platforms, including macOS, iOS, Android, Android TV, Linux, Amazon Fire, and others. The provider’s services are also compatible with numerous router makes and models.

An unlimited simultaneous connections allowance means that you’ll never be lacking protection for all of your connected devices.

Surfshark protects its customers’ connections by using banking-level AES 256-bit encryption, an automatic kill switch, and IP/DNS leak protection. A MultiHop feature allows users to route their internet connection through two VPN servers to double up on encryption and anonymity.

As for privacy protections, a strict no-server-logs policy and a cryptocurrency payment option have things covered on that end. The provider now operates all of its servers 100% from RAM. All data is automatically wiped from a Surfshark server whenever it is rebooted or shut down. The provider also periodically reboots each server to wipe the data.

The provider delivers fast download speeds that are easily up to juggling all of your favorite online activities. The provider never spoils your fun by slapping data caps or bandwidth limitations on your VPN usage.

The provider’s main drawback in the past was a tiny global server network. That’s not a problem now, as the Surfshark network stands at more than 3,200 servers based in 100+ countries around the globe. Many of those servers are P2P file sharing-optimized.

Always-available customer support includes a 24/7 live chat option, a searchable support library and FAQ section, and a contact form.

BEST FOR BUDGET-MINDED WINDOWS USERS:Surfshark charges a bargain-basement price for top-notch online protection and privacy for Windows, making it an attractive VPN option for budget-minded users. An unlimited simultaneous connections allowance adds to the fun. A 30-day money-back guarantee is available.

Read my full review of Surfshark.

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3. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on all of its subscription plans.

The provider’s Windows app is lightweight and goes easy on your Windows machine’s system resources. A “Smart Location” feature allows you to quickly connect to the best-performing server in your country.

Browser extensions are available for Chrome, Brave, Edge, Firefox, and Vivaldi browser platforms. Apps for other popular platforms are also available, including Android, iOS, macOS, Android TV, Linus, Amazon Fire TV, and ChromeOS platforms. Extensive router compatibility is also present and accounted for.

ExpressVPN offers a somewhat miserly simultaneous connection allowance of up to five devices.

ExpressVPN uses government-grade AES 256-bit encryption, as well as IP/DNS leak and automatic kill switch protection to keep your online activities undercover. Your privacy is also protected well thanks to the service’s strict no-logs policy and a Bitcoin subscription payment option.

Additional privacy protections are offered by the provider’s proprietary “TrustedServer” technology that runs all operations from RAM, never writing any data to a physical hard drive. All information is wiped each time the server is rebooted.

ExpressVPN provided blazingly-fast download speeds in recent testing. This makes it an excellent choice for streamers, gamers, and file sharers, with unlimited bandwidth and no data caps.

ExpressVPN boasts an impressive global server network (3,000+ servers located in 94+ countries).

Always-available customer support includes a 24/7 live chat option, email support, a trouble ticket tracking system, and a support library.

RELIABLE “FREE” VPN PROTECTION FOR WINDOWS:ExpressVPN offers expensive, yet flexible and reliable VPN protection for your Windows PC. The provider’s easy-to-use apps, fast connections, tight encryption, and optimal privacy protections add up to a good return on investment. While the provider is a bit expensive, a 30-day money-back guarantee takes the risk out of giving it a try.

Read my full review of ExpressVPN.

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4. CyberGhost

CyberGhost offers a 45-day money-back guarantee for its one-year, two-year and three-year subscriptions. However, one-month subscribers will have only 14 days to ask for a refund.

The provider makes for an excellent option for rookie VPN users thanks to its one-click access to VPN protection, as well as its lack of complicated options. App options are available for Windows, as well as numerous other popular device platforms, including macOS, iOS, Android, Android TV, and Linux.

Free Chrome and Firefox browser extensions are also available, although they allow access to only eight servers in four countries and don’t reliably access Netflix and other streaming services. However, they are free.

The provider allows up to seven concurrent connections. Users who require more connections can take advantage of the provider’s comprehensive router compatibility.

The provider’s connection protections include military-grade AES 256-bit encryption and IP/DNS leak prevention. In addition, it offers ad and malware blocking, as well as the ability to force websites to serve up HTTPS versions of their pages if available.

A strict no-log-collection policy and Bitcoin payment option for subscriptions keep you covered on the privacy end of things.

Those well-protected connections are also fast. CyberGhost’s connections provide more than enough speed for streaming audio and video, downloading and sharing files, and performing any other popular online activity. No worries about data caps or bandwidth restrictions with this provider.

CyberGhost has an absolutely massive global server network that includes 9,000+ servers, stationed in 90+ countries around the globe. CyberGhost limits P2P traffic to a select number of servers.

The VPN provider’s support options include 24/7 live chat, a searchable support library, and a trouble ticket tracking system.

BEST FOR NEWBIE WINDOWS VPN USERS:CyberGhost’s easy-to-use yet powerful Windows offering, is a great option for first-time VPN users. Fast, well-protected connections offer easy access to streaming content via a massive global server network. A 45-day money-back guarantee is available.

Read my full review of CyberGhost.

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5. Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access (PIA) offers an excellent way to protect your Windows-related online activities from online dangers and from being monitored.

PIA’s good-sized server network (3,300+ servers located in close to 85+ countries) provides reliable access to geo-fenced content around the globe.

In addition to an easy-to-use Windows app, PIA native app support includes Android, Android TV, iOS, macOS, and Linux apps. Chrome, Opera, and Firefox browser extensions are also available, as is compatibility with various router makes and models.

The provider places a 10-simultaneous device connection limit on its customers’ VPN usage.

PIA-provided connections are protected with banking-grade encryption, IP/DNS leak protection, and kill switch protection. Tracker, malware, and dangerous website blocking are also available.

The provider never logs your online travels while you’re connected to its servers, meaning all of your online travels are kept incognito. The provider also protects your payment privacy by accepting Bitcoin as payment.

While PIA’s connection speeds are the second-slowest on this list, they can still handle your favorite online activities. The provider never imposes daily or monthly data caps or bandwidth throttling on its customers’ VPN usage.

Customer support options from the provider include live chat, a trouble ticket tracking system, and a support library. Offers a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can try the service with minimal risk.

COMPREHENSIVE ONLINE PROTECTION FOR WINDOWS PCs:Private Internet Access provides well-protected connections for your Windows PC and other internet-capable devices. The provider delivers reliable access to geo-fenced content. A 30-day money-back guarantee is available.

Read my full review of Private Internet Access.

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6. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN’s admittedly small server network provides reliable and fast connections and strong privacy and security offerings.

The provider’s Windows app provides well-protected connections, using military-grade encryption, a kill switch, and DNS/IP leak prevention to secure them.

Your privacy is well-protected here, as PrivateVPN never records its users’ online adventures while keeping your payment information undercover by accepting Bitcoin.

This provider’s connection speeds are nowhere near the best around. However, it can easily provide enough bandwidth for your online needs. Not only that, there are no data caps or bandwidth limitations on your VPN usage.

The provider’s actual server count, at 200+, is the lowest I’ve seen. However, PrivateVPN did a fine job of spreading those servers out in more than 60 countries around the globe. P2P file sharing is allowed on all servers.

PrivateVPN customer support can best be termed as “meh.” The provider does offer live chat support. However, it’s not 24/7. A non-searchable FAQ and a “Contact Us” form are also available.

In addition to a Windows app, PrivateVPN also offers app support for the macOS, iOS, and Android platforms. Router support is available, while browser extensions are not.

Up to 10 devices can be simultaneously connected to the service using the same login info. Offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

P2P USERS QUITE WELCOME:PrivateVPN is an excellent option for users that regularly engage in P2P file sharing. While their global server count is a bit low, they do a good job of spreading them around. A 30-day money-back guarantee is available.

Read my full review of PrivateVPN.

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Methodology for Assessing VPNs for Windows

Windows users are a popular target for the bad actors of the online world. In addition, they face the same dangers online as any internet user does. Online surveillance and other privacy and security dangers are at a high level.

Below, I’ve listed the factors that I considered when compiling this list of VPNs for Windows users:

• Connection speed: The speed of your internet connection directly affects how enjoyable your online activities will be. The VPNs I included on this list provide fast connections.
• Global server network: The larger your VPN’s global server network, the better access it will provide to geo-controlled content around the globe. Always look for providers with multiple servers in each country it serves. This helps prevent a single server from being hot with too many users at once.
• Value: To determine a VPN’s true value, compare its features to its asking price. The VPNs that I included on my list offer an excellent return on investment.
• Ease of use: A VPN should offer easy-to-use apps, and they should be available for popular devices. The VPNs on my list offer intuitive apps for most popular device platforms.
• Security and privacy: A VPN should protect your internet connection with banking-grade encryption, an automatic kill switch, and DNS/IP leak prevention. Any other protective features are a bonus. Also, look for a strict no-logs policy, as it ensures that there are no logs kept of your online travels.
• Streaming: Streaming video is one of the most popular online activities today. Most of the VPNs on my list offer reliable access to streaming sites such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and others.

My in-depth research doesn’t end here. In fact, the features above are just a small bit of my overall comprehensive VPN testing methodology. My data-driven approach helps me to better understand the VPNs and their services, allowing me to recommend only VPNs that are a good fit for your needs.

Is a Truly Free VPN a Good Option for My Windows PC?

You’ll find that truly free VPNs have hidden costs and plenty of drawbacks.

Many free VPN service providers make their money by logging users’ online activities and then selling that information to advertisers or other interested parties.

Other free providers have been caught inserting unwanted ads and tracking cookies into their users’ browsing sessions. (And those cookies will keep on tracking your online activities, even after you disconnect from the VPN’s network.)

Free VPNs are also inconvenient to use.

First of all, you may be forced to wait for a while before being allowed to connect to the provider’s server network. Then, you’ll likely be faced with a tiny server network, or find yourself automatically connected to a server of the provider’s choosing.

Now that you’re finally connected, you’ll notice that your download speeds have been greatly throttled, and your data usage is restricted by daily or monthly caps.

As you can see, absolutely “free” VPNs’ hidden costs can end up costing you more than the few bucks you’ll spend on a paid VPN.

Windows VPN FAQs

Conclusion

Windows users who are considering whether to try a “free” VPN are advised to consider the hidden costs of such services.

All of the Virtual Private Network providers I covered in this article offer a truly risk-free money-back guarantee. This ensures that you’ll have a no-risk opportunity to try any of these VPNs.

A quality VPN provider protects your online security and privacy, keeping no logs of any kind and never injecting unwanted tracking cookies into your browser sessions. These VPNs also provide reliable access to geo-blocked content, while not slowing your connection speeds to an unusable level.

Windows users are urged to investigate the comprehensive services that NordVPN offers. The provider offers fast connections from a large global server network, providing reliable access to your favorite geo-blocked content from around the world. The provider also ensures that your security and privacy are well protected.

For more information or to purchase a subscription, visit the NordVPN website.