Top 5 Best VPNs to Use in 2024

It is crucial for us to prioritize our digital privacy in 2024. The internet can be a risky environment, but by utilizing a VPN, we can confidently safeguard our internet history, data, and personal information. So, in this article, I’ll be exploring some of the best VPNs available for safeguarding our digital privacy. 

Top 5 Best VPNs to Use in 2024

So, without further ado, here are some of the best VPNs to use in 2024.

1. Nord VPN

Undoubtedly, NordVPN will stand out as the premier VPN for Windows PCs in 2024. It is compatible with Windows 7 Service Pack 1, Windows 8.1, Windows 10 (version 1607 or later),

and Windows 11, making it an essential tool for any Windows user. NordVPN prioritizes your security and privacy, ensuring the safety of your online activities.

Security Features

NordVPN utilizes AES-256 encryption to secure your online activities, transforming your data into an unbreakable code. With a reliable kill switch and obfuscated servers, it ensures that your use of a VPN remains undetectable, protecting you from surveillance by ISPs and governments, especially in regions with strict internet censorship like Iran, where accessing restricted apps like Twitter becomes secure and private.

With its headquarters in Panama, a nation with progressive privacy legislation, NordVPN upholds a stringent no-logging policy that guarantees the privacy of your personal information. Conversely, certain well-known VPNs, like IPVanish, are members of the Five Eyes alliance; use caution while using these VPNs as they might reveal your information to the government upon request (albeit this isn’t a common occurrence).

How it Gets Past Geo-Restrictions

With its vast server network of over 6100 servers spread over 67 countries, NordVPN effortlessly gets around geo-restrictions and gives users access to a wide range of platforms and apps globally. 

In my testing of NordVPN, I discovered that it can successfully get around censorship on a variety of apps, including Netflix and BBC iPlayer, as well as streaming services like WhatsApp and X (Twitter) in Iran and Pakistan. Because they had fewer servers and less powerful unblocking tools, other VPNs—Express VPN, for instance—performed worse when it came to unblocking content that was banned.

Price

This premium Windows VPN is available for as little as $3.39 a month. For risk-free testing, each subscription comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, even if there isn’t a free trial available for Windows. Several YouTubers are even offering NordVPN for free for six months, with an even bigger discount available for a one-year subscription.

Pros of NordVPN 

1. An easy-to-use Windows VPN application
2. Flawless speed outcomes
3. Outstanding ability to unblock
4. Stays clear of censorship

Cons of NordVPN

1. Trial period only available for Android devices
2. Not a router applet

2. IPVanish

IPVanish is a highly effective VPN for Windows 10 and 11 users and is worth considering. While it may not offer unique features that set it apart, it excels in providing essential security features and boasts a robust feature set, all at a reasonable price.

Security Features 

IPVanish protects your internet traffic from censorship and surveillance by ISPs and governments, even in countries like Pakistan and India. This is achieved through the use of industry-standard AES-265 encryption. While it is based in the United States, a member of the Five Eyes Alliance, this is its only drawback. 

Nevertheless, our extensive testing of IPVanish has proven it to be a highly reliable VPN. It not only operates on a thoroughly audited no-logs policy but also includes a kill switch feature to prevent any potential data leakage in the unlikely event of a connection failure. Additionally, with the OpenVPN Scramble option, you can effectively evade detection by firewalls and ensure your VPN activity remains hidden.

How it Gets By Past-Restrictions

IPVanish boasts a robust network consisting of over 2200 servers spread across 52 countries. Our thorough testing of IPVanish on various streaming platforms revealed its remarkable ability to unblock popular websites like YouTube, Netflix, and BBC iPlayer. However, there may be occasional difficulties with accessing Amazon Prime Video and Hulu. In regions where access is

restricted, such as Iran or Pakistan, IPVanish remains a reliable choice, allowing smooth navigation through apps like TikTok and X (Twitter).

Price 

At $2.75 per month, IPVanish’s beginning price is about the same as NordVPN’s. Like NordVPN or Surfshark, it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so users can test the service before committing to yearly subscriptions. There is only one membership tier with variable durations.

Pros of IPVanish 

1. An incrediblely useful Windows application
2. Opens blocked content
3. Adaptable kill switch
4. Infinite connections

Cons of IPVanish 

1. After a year, prices rise
2. Based in a nation that does not prioritise privacy

3. Surfshark VPN

Surfshark, the leading competitor of NordVPN, stands out as the top VPN for Windows. It seamlessly operates on Windows 10 and 11, and can also be utilized on older versions such as Windows 7, 8, and 8.1. With comparable speed, cybersecurity, and the ability to bypass geo-restrictions, Surfshark even allows an unlimited number of simultaneous connections.

Security Features 

Surfshark VPN provides comprehensive protection for your Windows laptop or PC, shielding it from ISPs or government surveillance with a kill switch and 100% DNS leak protection. In addition, the exclusive CleanWeb tool effectively prevents viruses, trackers, and ads from disrupting your online activities. Furthermore, with features like rotating IP for complete online anonymity and No Borders mode to bypass internet censorship, Surfshark offers exceptional benefits to enhance your online experience.

Surfshark is the perfect solution to keep your online activities private and bypass censorship, allowing you to confidently access Facebook and TikTok, even in restricted locations such as

Pakistan. Much like NordVPN, Surfshark operates from the Netherlands, a country renowned for its commitment to protecting your privacy. With Surfshark, you can be assured that your personal information is never shared with any third parties, not even the government.

How it Gets Past Geo-Restrictions

With a vast global server network of over 3200 servers spanning 100 countries, Surfshark excels at unblocking restricted apps and geo-restricted websites. We extensively tested Surfshark with a variety of streaming services, including Max, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix library, and more, and it flawlessly delivered without any lag. 

Additionally, I successfully tested restricted applications like TikTok in Iran and India, where Surfshark effectively circumvented censorship and maintained anonymity. Other restricted applications in Iran and India, and TikTok performed a great job of circumventing censorship anonymously.

Price

Surfshark offers a more affordable alternative to NordVPN, with monthly prices starting as low as $2.29. They provide various subscription levels that come with additional security features. While there is no free edition or trial specifically available for Windows users of Surfshark, you can take advantage of their 30-day money-back guarantee to test the service and determine if it’s worth committing to in the long run.

Pros of NordVPN

1. It’s a Simple Windows application
2. Excellent at evading ISP monitoring
3. Strong unblocking abilities
4. Tight no-logs guidelines

Cons of NordVPN 

1. Not available in the free version
2. Not using a SOCKS5 proxy

4. Cyber Ghost 

Consider CyberGhost VPN if you need an outstanding, affordable VPN for Windows 10 and 11. This provider not only offers reasonable prices but also ensures exceptional privacy and security, unrestricted access to content, and a large server network to bypass any restrictions.

Security Features 

CyberGhost ensures top-notch security by utilising AES-256 and ChaCha20 encryption protocols. While it may not offer obfuscation, this VPN is still an excellent choice for protecting your online activities. Notably, it features a reliable kill switch that prevents any data leakage. Moreover, CyberGhost goes the extra mile by providing content blockers to eliminate bothersome internet ads and potential browsing disruptions.

With its base in privacy-focused Romania, you can trust CyberGhost to uphold your confidentiality. The renowned auditing firm, Deloitte has confirmed CyberGhost’s strict no-logs policy, adding another layer of assurance to their privacy claims. With headquarters in Romania, a country that values privacy, CyberGhost can guarantee secrecy from monitoring. Furthermore, the auditing firm Deloitte confirmed CyberGhost’s no-logs assertions.

How it Gets Past Geo-Restrictions 

One of the most alluring features of CyberGhost is its enormous fleet, which consists of more than 11,500 servers spread over 100 nations. You may access a huge variety of websites and streaming services worldwide thanks to our enormous server network.

CyberGhost is highly effective at bypassing online restrictions in countries like Pakistan, allowing access to websites such as Facebook, YouTube, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer. Unlike other Windows VPN services like IPVanish and ExpressVPN, which have smaller server networks and struggle to match CyberGhost’s success in unblocking websites globally.

Price

CyberGhost stands out as one of the most budget-friendly computer VPN services, with a monthly fee of approximately $2.19. What sets it apart is the incredible value it offers. Not only does CyberGhost provide affordable pricing, but it also boasts an impressive 45-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to test it out risk-free for an extended period. On top of

that, Windows customers are in for a treat with a 24-hour free trial, ensuring they can experience its exceptional features before committing.

Pros of CyberGhost 

1. Simple Windows application
2. No-logs policy audited
3. Enormous fleet of servers
4. Outstanding ability to unblock

Cons of CyberGhost 

1. Not available in free version
2. Not as quickly as top suppliers

5. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is widely recognized as NordVPN’s top competitor. With its exceptional security and privacy features, it’s no wonder that this top-tier service is also considered one of the best VPNs for Windows OS, including Windows 11, 10, 8, and 7.

Security Features

ExpressVPN uses AES-256 encryption to keep all your online activity private, making it hard for governments, like those in Iran and India, to snoop on your traffic. In the event of a connection loss, its potent kill switch, Network Lock, protects your data. 

Additionally, all ExpressVPN subscription plans include a tonne of fantastic extra features like ExpressVPN Keys, a password manager, and Threat Manager, which blocks trackers and harmful websites. Additionally, this VPN has a strong zero-logs policy in place to guarantee that no sensitive data is saved, and it is headquartered in the privacy-friendly British Virgin Islands.

How it Gets Past Geo-Restrictions

The provider’s extensive fleet of thousands of servers, spanning 105 countries, delivers outstanding performance in bypassing geo-blocks and censorship. In countries such as Iran, it effectively unblocks restricted websites and apps, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and more. Additionally, it excels in providing remote access to the majority of Netflix libraries, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and other services.

Price

ExpressVPN is the priciest provider on the list in comparison to the others, with monthly pricing beginning at $6.67. As a result, it ranks lower among the top VPNs for Windows than NordVPN or Surfshark. Although there isn’t a free trial available for Windows, you can sample the service risk-free for 30 days by taking advantage of the provider’s money-back guarantee.

Pros of ExpressVPN

1. Superior encryption and security
2. Intelligent split tunnelling system; 
3. A kill switch for network locks
4. Excellent at evading censorship

Cons of ExpressVPN

1. Costly subscription package
2. There are not a lot of features

Final Thoughts 

It is crucial to prioritise digital privacy and security in 2024. A reliable VPN is an essential tool for achieving this goal. Nord is an outstanding choice for those seeking an all-encompassing solution. If affordability is a concern, CyberGhost is a great option. For a perfectly balanced experience, Surfshark is the ideal choice. These recommendations will help you find the perfect VPN to meet your specific needs.