Best VPN for PC in 2021
An in-depth look at five of the best VPN services currently available on the market, specifically tailored to use on a PC.
- Last Updated Jun 1, 2021
If you’ve found yourself landed on this article, chances are that you’re a PC user on the search for the best VPN, regardless of whether you’re a Windows, IOS or even Linux is your operating system of choice.
In a nutshell, a VPN is a type of software that allows you to stay anonymous online by encrypting your data and making your PC think that it’s in a new location. This allows you to then surf the web free from restrictions and fear of any of your personal information being compromised. Pretty cool, right?
Whether you’ve heard that VPNs have the ability to protect your data and would like the peace of mind of having an additional layer of security while on the internet, or you really want to sneak past geo-restrictions and access content in a different area of the world, choosing to upgrade your PC set-up with a VPN is a smart move.
Regardless of your reason for wanting a VPN, though, there’s simply no denying that there are quite a few options on the market, and it can be overwhelming to know where to start, let alone decipher the good from the bad! That’s where we come in.
Here at WePC, we’ve been hard at work selecting the five best VPNs on the market that are suitable for your PC. To help make the buying process as seamless as possible, below, you will find a review of each one (including pros and cons), as well as a buying guide to ensure that you make the best choice for you and your web surfing needs. Read on!
Products at a Glance
How We Picked
Here at WePC, our team is composed of industry experts that have years of experience within this sector, which is why we take it upon ourselves to separate the best from the rest. Therefore, when it comes to making the product selections that end up in our reviews, we do our very best to ensure that each selection is not only tried, tested and trustworthy, but a selection that also will be able to offer a tailored service suited to you.
In particular, while selecting the best VPNs suited to PC usage, we have made sure to take into consideration a variety of different factors including speed and connectivity, value for money, overall performance features, and ease of use. Not only have we done this to make sure that you have complete confidence in your purchase, but to guarantee that you will get the very best value for your money, too.
Best VPN for PC in 2021
If you want a VPN for your PC that will ensure privacy and nonrestrictive surfing and streaming, you’d be making a wise decision to consider ExpressVPN!
Our best overall choice, ExpressVPN is your one-stop-shop for an elevated PC experience.
Why? Well, for starters, ExpressVPN boasts an impressive server count of over 3000 servers (and counting) that span across a total of 94 countries. Plus, as ExpressVPN has made sure that all of its servers are spread evenly throughout all of the locations it has access to, you can rest assured that you will be able to enjoy consistently solid speeds, regardless of whether you’re streaming your favorite show or simply surfing the web.
Speaking of streaming ability, one of our favorite features of ExpressVPN is its ability to unblock pretty much all of the most popular streaming services around the world, including Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video, as well as more obscure streaming services, too.
Thanks to that, regardless of whether you want to catch up on your favorite TV show, stream a huge sporting event, or surf the web free from any restrictions, ExpressVPN’s speedy servers will be able to cater to you. Not only that, but in the event that you do encounter a connectivity issue, you can get it quickly resolved thanks to ExpressVPN’s live chat that is available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.
Plus, to ensure your safety, ExpressVPN comes with a default kill switch that will automatically disconnect your PC from the internet on the off chance that the VPN connection suddenly cuts out, to ensure that your private information will never be leaked. On top of that, you’ll even have access to additional manual privacy features that you can control as and when you like.
As a side note, it’s worth keeping in mind that though the subscription fees are quite high, (particularly when compared to some of the other VPN providers on this list). given the ease of use, large server count, and exceptionally fast speeds, you will be getting what you pay for. Our overall verdict? ExpressVPN will make the ideal partner for your PC, both for seamless streaming and enhanced protection.
If you want a VPN for your PC that has been specifically optimized to meet all of the demands of service streaming, we recommend giving NordVPN a consideration.
There’s a lot to love about NordVPN, especially if you’re a PC user! Featuring innovative, SmartPlay technology, NordVPN is able to use this secure proxy service provider in order to trick your PC into thinking it’s in a different location, all while sneaking past geo-restrictions imposed by many of the most popular streaming services.
Due to this, you’ll have no trouble accessing hundreds of different streaming services on your PC, including YoutTube, Amazon Prime Video, and of course, Netflix. Not just that, but thanks to NordVPNs vast array of online tutorials and responsive live chat support that’s available all day every week, you’ll have no trouble with connectivity issues, even if you have no experience working with a VPN.
In addition to this, NordVPN also comes complete with a large server count of 5,500 servers that cover over 80 locations. Thanks to this, you can expect lightning-fast and stable connectivity consistency across all of those locations. Plus, if you wanted to, you could even connect NordVPN’s servers on up to six devices at any one time (including your PC) without sacrificing speed or connectivity.
As for safety and your privacy, NordVPN ensures that you’ll be able to use its software with total peace of mind. While using this VPN, all of your personal information will be kept private via its Double VPN feature (that will encrypt your data twice), a kill switch in case the connection suddenly drops, as well as 256-bit encryption. Considering its reasonable subscription price and reliability, this VPN is a great choice.
On a budget? No problem. If you’ve been searching high and low for a VPN suitable for your PC, SurfShark simply needs to be on your radar.
Don’t let the affordable price point of SurfShark put you off, because this VPN provider packs a punch! Blending affordability with premium performance, if you partner your PC with Surfshark, you’ll get a VPN experience that rivals some of the more high-end choices currently available on the market – for a fraction of the price.
Ideal for streaming, web surfing, and everything in-between, SurfShark offers more than 3,200 servers that are located in over 100 countries across the globe. On top of that, armed with this VPN provider, you’ll be able to unlock the most popular streaming services without a hitch, including Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and even Amazon Prime Video.
What’s more, SurfShark even offers a 30-day trial which will allow you to get a feel for its services and decide if it’s a good match for you and your personal needs. After that, you’ll then be able to enjoy unlimited bandwidth and lightning-quick connectivity for the bargain starting price of less than $3 a month. If you’re looking to go little on price and big on VPN performance, SurfShark won’t disappoint.
If you’ve never used a VPN before and would prefer one that has a simple and easy-to-use interface, we think that you’ll really like IP Vanish.
There’s a lot to love about this VPN. Featuring a configurable interface that doesn’t feel overwhelming or confusing to use, IP Vanish is ideal for users who want a solid VPN service that can be used for multiple purposes, including streaming and web surfing.
As far as security goes, IP Vanish meets the mark and then some. Besides ensuring that all of its VPN connections are protected with AES 256-bit encryption (which is the same encryption standard used by the U.S government) this VPN provider also offers a kill switch feature. This ensures that, in the event that the VPN cuts out suddenly, your IP and address will not be exposed.
Another feature that makes this VPN suitable for beginners is excellent customer service. IP Vanish is available 24/7 across phone, email, and even a live chat, which is super impressive as there are many VPN providers that only offer limited support via email. Thanks to this, in the event that you happen to encounter any issues, you’ll be able to get your VPN back up and running in no time at all. All in all, a fantastic option for beginners.
Last but not least, we have selected the Hotspot Shield VPN, a VPN that has been one of the biggest players in the PC game for quite some time, and that’s all down to its speedy performance.
Unlike its popular free version, this premium version of Hotspot Shield will grant you full access to over 1,800 servers across more than 80 countries. This means that paired up with Hotspot Shield, you’ll be able to access some of the most popular streaming services, including Netflix, Hulu, and Youtube.
In addition to this, Hotspot Shield even offers a newly integrated SmartVPN feature, which will allow you to create a list of websites that you specifically want the VPN servers to ignore, which is especially useful if you only want to keep VPN turned on for streaming something such as Netflix.
Plus, alongside your PC, you’ll have the option of connecting up to four other devices, as well as full support whenever you need it from Hotspot Shield’s 24/7 live chat support. You even have the option to give it a go and, if you’re not happy after 45 days, you’ll get your money back without any issues. Given the reasonable monthly price and high speeds, it’s definitely worth considering.
Things To Consider
Our Verdict
There we have it! The benefits of choosing to add a VPN software to your PC set-up is a handy addition to have, regardless of whether you want to use one for streaming purposes or purely to surf the web without restrictions. Hopefully, after reading through this guide, you’ll have now discovered the VPN best suited to you.
However, if you still need a little help making the final decision, we recommend choosing ExpressVPN, which is our best overall pick. Not only is it super reliable on the security front, but it offers speedy connections across both local and long-distance servers, not to mention the super simple user interface that makes it ideal for both beginners and experienced users.
In contrast, if you’re looking for a VPN that will offer you the very best value for your money, then SurfShark is our winning recommendation to you. Not only does it offer a performance that rivals some of the best VPNs on the market, but it does so at a fraction of the cost. What’s more, you can even try it out for 30 days free of charge to see if it’s right for you, no strings attached – it’s a real gamechanger, and absolutely worth considering if you’re looking to save money.
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