5 Best VPNs For Windows 11, Tested Over 3 Months
Review the VPNs and choose the best one for your Windows 11 PC
- Finding the best VPN for Windows 11 can be tricky, as the compatibility of applications is still in doubt.
- Our experienced testers have tried a variety of VPN services on a Windows 11 device to ensure that only the best make the list.
- A good VPN service offers great security, good connection speeds, and powerful encryption protocols to ensure your online anonymity.
- To be completely anonymous online, it is recommended that you choose a VPN option with a no-logging policy.
In this day and age, using stable and powerful VPN software to protect your privacy online has been proven the be not only necessary but a must!
This statement isn’t made lightly, as situations like Facebook selling your personal data to third parties, and in general, big corporations using your online ‘persona’ to create custom ads is not a new emergence.
To ensure that situations like this won’t affect you, and at the same time be able to access geo-restricted content from across the world, using a VPN is very important.
That being said, not all VPNs are the same when it comes to efficiency, stability, and versatility, so being able to choose one that ticks all the boxes can be tricky.
Added to this, not all VPNs work seamlessly with Windows 11, so this factor considerably narrows down the list of possible choices.
Even though Windows 11 has some great new security features that will help your privacy and security be boosted considerably, having a second layer of insurance is not a bad idea.
For these reasons, in today’s guide, we will explore this subject further and look at some of the best VPNs that offer all the protection you will ever need and are also fully compatible with the stylish new OS from Microsoft.
- How to set up a VPN on Windows 11
- What factors should be considered when choosing a VPN?
- ✅ Security
- ✅ Compatibility with your OS
- ✅ VPN Speed
- ✅ Server locations
- What are the best VPNs for Windows 11?
- ExpressVPN - Superior Windows 11 privacy
- Private Internet Access - Fastest servers network
- NordVPN - Biggest server network
- Surfshark - Convenient price for quality
- HideME - Exhaustive security tools
How to set up a VPN on Windows 11
Windows 11 already has some good VPN settings built-in, and these allow you to set up your VPN service through Windows, thus making them work together to ensure your safety.
Settings up your VPN in Windows 11 is extremely easy, once you click the Add VPN button seen in the screenshot above, you will see the following panel in which you need to enter the required details.
Even though privacy’s the main concern when choosing a VPN, we can’t deny the fact that being able to access Netflix content from the UK while living in the US is useful.
It’s quite straightforward to set up a VPN connection on Windows 11 because it implies only a few steps like the ones below:
- Type in VPN settings in the Start Menu.
- In this window, press the Add VPN button.
- Fill up the information required to set up the VPN.
- After completing the VPN information, click on Save.
- Connect to your new Windows 11 VPN connection.
What factors should be considered when choosing a VPN?
✅ Security
The main reason for using a VPN in the first place is the security layer that it offers you while browsing the Internet, both in terms of privacy and encryption levels.
The most common level is the AES-256 Encryption which provides state-of-the-art encryption for all your data and personal information.
AES stands for Advanced Encryption Standard, and it is the official NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) value that measures classified data protection.
✅ Compatibility with your OS
As there is no use for a VPN that can’t work optimally on your OS, this is another important element to consider when making a choice.
In our specific case, we are exploring the VPNs that work without problems on the Windows 11 OS, so there is no need for you to take this into consideration, as we’ve got you covered.
✅ VPN Speed
The speed at which your VPN allows you to browse the internet is another very important aspect as if your internet connectivity has to suffer, then using a VPN becomes inefficient.
To help you with this as well, our list only provides you with options that were tested for speed and accuracy on a variety of server locations across the world.
✅ Server locations
As mentioned previously, a low number of server locations for the VPN software that you’re using can have a considerable impact both on security level, speed, and geo-locked content accessibility.
A good VPN will have a variety of servers from which to choose, and the impact on the speed and security can be controlled efficiently.
What are the best VPNs for Windows 11?
Even though Windows 11 comes with an in-built VPN connection, you can sure use efficient tools created to strengthen your digital privacy.
Using reliable VPN software will bring safer browsing on risky websites, access to restricted locations, or even streaming benefits.
ExpressVPN – Superior Windows 11 privacy
ExpressVPN is another well-rounded VPN service that can work very well with Windows 11, offering good speeds and privacy features, and also not lacking a friendly UI.
When it comes to the most important element that a good VPN provides, the security features presented in ExpressVPN don’t disappoint in any way.
As in the case of the previously-mentioned PIA, ExpressVPN also offers a variety of protocols and security features. Some of the most notable protocols include IKEv2/IPSec, L2TP/IPSec, OpenVPN (TCP/UDP), and also PPTP.
These features are enhanced even more by including a DNS Leak Blocking option, First-party DNS, IPV6 Leak Blocking, and also a VPN Kill Switch.
ExpressVPN uses AES-256 encryption services that banks and governments use, making sure that no data could be collected even by the most skillful hackers in the world.
These go hand in hand with Smart DNS, and a Split Tunnelling option. But don’t just take our word for it, as this VPN’s security level has been verified by both PWC and Cure543.
Express VPN works perfectly fine with Windows 11, as we haven’t seen any sort of issues while running it on our test Windows 11 devices.
Even though the speed of the servers for ExpressVPN is not as fast as PIA’s, this VPN still offers a very good processing speed, with just about 8% difference from the normal bandwidth speed.
Here are the results of our speed test from before activating ExpressVPN on Windows 11:
And here are the results after activating the software:
As you can see from the results above, the speed difference is absolutely negligible, so ExpressVPN will not affect your connectivity in any noticeable manner.
This VPN service is powered by more than 3000 servers, from 160 server locations, spread throughout 94 countries.
Other useful features:
- Supports up to 5 simultaneous connections
- No logs policy ensured by TrustedServer tech
- 24/7 live chat support
- 30-day money-back guarantee
ExpressVPN
Surf the web without any privacy concerns on your Windows 11 device today!Private Internet Access – Fastest servers network
Private Internet Access, also known as PIA is one of the best VPN services in existence, offering amazing network connection speeds and powerful encryption services.
As we mentioned in the previous overview about good VPN software requirements, PIA covers them all very well.
When it comes to security, PIA uses some of the most powerful protocols that exist on the market, including IKEv2/IPSec, L2TP/IPSec, OpenVPN (TCP/UDP), and WireGuard.
This set of protocols covers the entire spectrum of security needs and provides military-grade security no matter where you are in the world.
In the same department, we also have a variety of different features like DNS Leak Blocking, First-party DNS, IPV6 Leak Blocking, and full support for TCP Port 443.
If you think it can’t get better than this, it is also worth mentioning that PIA offers you access to a VPN Kill Switch and WebRTC Leak Blocking.
To round up everything and make this VPN one of the best on the market, you also get an AdBlocker, Dedicated IP services, SOCKS, and Split Tunnelling features.
In the compatibility department, thankfully, PIA is fully operational on Windows 11, so you can take advantage of all the features mentioned in this guide without issues.
When looking at speed, PIA doesn’t affect the local network’s ability at all, as we measured the speeds both before and after activating the PIA VPN on our test PC.
Here are the speed results before activating PIA:
And here is the speed test after connecting through a PIA server close to our physical location:
To round up the capabilities of this powerful software, PIA offers you access to 22.500 VPN proxy servers in 98 locations found in 77 countries.
This ensures that no matter where you want your IP to be located, you can do so easily with PIA.
Other useful features:
- Allows connecting 10 devices simultaneously
- Zero-logging privacy policy
- 24/7 live chat support
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Private Internet Access
Private Internet Access is by far the best VPN service for Windows 11, with great speed and security.NordVPN – Biggest server network
If you want to browse the web without having to worry about your privacy, then you might want to consider NordVPN.
All your data is encrypted by 256-bit encryption, so you can rest assured that your online activity is secure from third parties. Regarding the supported protocols, this service works with IKEv2/IPsec, OpenVPN, and NordLynx.
It’s important to mention that this service has a strict no-log policy meaning that NordVPN servers won’t store any records of your online activity, thus protecting your privacy even further.
As for the available servers, there are more than 5500+ servers available in 60 countries around the globe, so you’ll always get a secure and fast connection, wherever you may be.
Regarding the number of available devices, you can use up to 6 devices simultaneously, or you can install NordVPN on your router and protect the whole network.
The service also has a Kill Switch feature that will stop all Internet access unless you’re connected to a VPN. Split tunneling is also available, allowing you to use a VPN connection only for specific apps.
For extra security, there’s a Double VPN feature that uses two servers for routing and if that’s not enough, you can also use the Onion network for enhanced privacy.
NordVPN offers great features, and it’s a perfect VPN if you need a fast, reliable, and private connection, so be sure to consider it:
Other useful features:
- Built-in threat protection against malware
- Ability to use a dedicated IP address
- Protection against DNS leaks
- Private DNS
NordVPN
Fast, reliable and with more than 5000 servers around the world NordVPN is a must-try VPN service.Surfshark – Convenient price for quality
Another great VPN for Windows 11 is Surfshark, and it will encrypt and protect your traffic with AES-256 encryption. Regarding the available protocols, this service uses IKEv2/IPsec, OpenVPN, and WireGuard.
Using this service you’ll get a new IP address that you can use to access geo-restricted content or to surf the Web without having to worry about your privacy.
Regarding the available servers, there are more than 3200+ available in 65 countries around the world, allowing you to achieve fast and private Internet connection anywhere in the world.
The split tunneling feature is also there, and it allows you to bypass your VPN with certain applications that require you to use your real IP address.
Surfshark has a strict no-logs policy, so it won’t save any of your browsing data or share it with third parties, so you can rest assured that your privacy is completely secure.
Another feature that deserves a mention is the Camouflage mode, and by using it, you can trick servers that you’re not using a VPN. This is useful if a specific service is blocking VPN traffic.
It’s worth mentioning that there’s a Kill Switch feature available that will block all Internet traffic if you get suddenly disconnected from a VPN, thus boosting your security.
Overall, Surfshark has a lot to offer, and with a large number of available servers and a no-logs policy, it’s a VPN that you should consider.
Other useful features:
- Private DNS and DNS leak protection
- Support for an unlimited number of devices
- Built-in ad blocker
- Malware protection
Surfshark
Surf the web privately and access more than 3200 servers in 65 countries with Surfshark VPN.HideME – Exhaustive security tools
HideME is another possible option when looking for a good VPN service to use on Windows 11, offering decent security, ok speeds, and a good level of encryption.
When it comes to the security protocols used by HideME to provide you with anonymity online, it uses IKEv2/IPSec, OpenVPN (TCP/UDP), SoftEther, SSTP, and last but not least, WireGuard.
These protocols ensure the protection of both your identity and data online, while also offering AES-256 encryption level and operating with some good security features.
As in the case of the previously-discussed VPN options, HideME also uses DNS Leak Blocking, First-party DNS, IPV6 Leak Blocking, and has a VPN Kill Switch, while also supporting TCP Port 443.
The big difference when comparing these 3 software options comes in the form of the reliability of the above-mentioned features.
HideME has proven in our tests that the VPN Kill Switch doesn’t do its job properly, at least not all the time. Activating this option has mostly caused the entire software to collapse, and a restart to be required.
To round up this good VPN, you also get access to advanced features like Split Tunnelling and SOCKS, which have proven to have good results in our tests.
When it comes to compatibility, you can rest assured that HideME VPN works without issues on Windows 11, so if you think this is a good option for you, nothing will stand in your way to use it.
No VPN is useful if the speeds at which it operates are not good enough for your internet connectivity, and for this reason, HideME has gone through the same rigorous testing when it comes to this aspect as well.
Here are the speeds of our network without having HideME VPN enabled:
And here are our network speed results after activating the software:
As opposed to the other VPN options presented in this guide, HideME didn’t perform as well, with an average overall speed after enabling the connection.
About 50% of the network speed was lost after activating, so if this is an important factor for you, it is safe to say that choosing one of the previously presented software options will be better.
Other useful features:
- Capable of having 10 devices connected at the same time
- Zero logs policy
- Enables streaming of geo-restricted Netflix content
- Supports IPv6
HideME
Explore geo-restricting content while protecting your privacy with this good VPN service.Why use a VPN on Windows 11?
Using a VPN on Windows 11 has the same benefits as using this type of software on any device, including but not limited to protecting your online privacy, encryption of data transfers, and also the capability to access geo-restricted content without problems.
Added to this, having the ability to ensure that the trail of data you leave on the web while exploring your favorite content is not used to create an online profile used by marketers around the world, also offers peace of mind.
Because Microsoft has gone a long way into imposing the implementation of a TPM requirement for all devices that are going to be able to run Windows 11, some users might have a question about how this applies to using a VPN.
To be clear, the usage of TMP chips in the devices running the new OS doesn’t imply that Windows will automatically protect your identity online.
What using TPM chips means is that Windows 11 will allow software like VPN and other encryption tools to work at their best capability in order to achieve true online anonymity and data protection.
Even though there have been discussions about not all Windows 11 installations requiring TMP 2.0, some users might be interested in upgrading their system nonetheless.
To do so, you can try a variety of methods, which depend on your specific situation and requirements at this point.
One of the ways to ensure that you can run the OS without issues would be to invest in a Windows 11-ready device that has TPM 2.0 capabilities.
Other users, that want the upgrade and own a desktop PC, could invest in a compatible motherboard, and then purchase a TPM 2.0 chip separately.
You can find other VPN protocols available to set up your connection on Windows 11. These are as follows:
- Windows 11 L2TP VPN
- PPTP VPN Windows 11
- Windows 11 VPN server
- Windows 11 OpenVPN client
As you can see from this thorough list, we compiled some great information in an easy-to-understand and apply manner, for you to make an informed decision about what VPN to use on Windows 11.
Feel free to share your experience with these products by using the comment section below.
