Best VPN Software in 2024

Do you love the internet, too? We heavily depend on the World Wide Web for all our information. However, for most users, the Internet has become a dangerous place. It poses threats to the financial and personal information of users.

Nowadays, with the advancement in technology, internet users facing online threats and frauds are increasingly being protected with efficient VPN software for Windows PC. Virtual Private Network (VPN) software creates a secure and encrypted tunnel for users over a computer network.

What is a VPN?

VPN software helps access region-restricted websites and protects your browsing activity on public Wi-Fi. These days for ease of business, VPN apps connect business networks (which are not physically on the same network) together securely over the internet.

It also allows you to access a business network from home and encrypts communications over public networks. Additionally, the best VPN software for PC forwards all your internet traffic to the network which helps access local resources remotely.

With the ongoing trends and changes in online activities, users are shifting their focus to decentralized VPN services and VPN AI. Decentralised VPNs, or decentralised virtual private networks, or VPNs are different from traditional VPNs.

They provide more autonomy and less censorship to users with distributed nodes. Individual nodes within the network are operated by volunteers rather than a VPN service.

Understanding Your Security & Streaming Needs

Online security is crucial whether you're remote worker or gamer. Selecting the best VPN app for gaming, torrenting or streaming is essential due to growing risks to privacy and censorship. We've created a buyer segment to identify your concern and choose VPN as per your need.

VPN Users	How will VPN help?	VPN Apps Suggestion
Privacy-Conscious Individuals	A strong no-logs policy and Tor integration can solve online tracking issues.	ProtonVPN
Frequent Travelers	High-speed servers and split tunneling will reduce the risks on public Wi-Fi.	ExpressVPN
Remote Workers	Secure connection to company networks and double VPN will eliminate data breaches.	NordVPN
Gamers	Low latency, throttling bypasses, and a wide range of servers will minimise lags.	Surfshark
Streaming Enthusiasts	Optimised servers for streaming bypass geo-restrictions over the content.	CyberGhost
Activists and Journalists	A strong privacy focus and anonymous account creation will bypass surveillance and censorship.	Mullvad
Tech-Savvy Users	Advanced features and customisable settings will aid security concerns.	Private Internet Access
General Internet Users	Easy setup for data privacy and a good balance of security and usability.	IPVanish

Streamers and Gamers

Gamers should choose Private Internet Access (PIA) to establish a secure gaming environment and prevent interruptions from DDoS attacks or bandwidth limiting. It ensures a safe gaming experience by minimising latency and adding an extra layer of protection.

Remote Workers and Freelancers

Many home users are susceptible to online attacks due to a lack of technical knowledge. You can use ExpressVPN to protect private information, ensure safe browsing, and protect personal data. It provides robust encryption, global server access, and easy UI.

Small Business Owners

Because of limited IT resources and financial constraints, small businesses are at major risk of data leaks. With dedicated IP addresses and advanced security features, NordVPN Teams provides strong protection without going over budget.

IT Specialists

It's a constant struggle for an IT specialist to remain ahead of changing risks. With its adaptable settings and dependable encryption algorithms, CyberGhost VPN secures your company's assets from complex attacks.

Guardians and Parents

A VPN can assist parents worried about their kids' internet safety. Surfshark gives you peace of mind while your children browse the internet with features like CleanWeb, which blocks trackers and advertisements.

Benefits of VPN Software

VPN apps help users resolve their gaming, streaming, torrenting, and privacy issues with robust features. Some of the benefits of secure VPN for PC includes:

Protects Private Data Over Public Wi-fi

It can be very risky to use public Wi-Fi at airports and hotels without a VPN. Sometimes, even passwords you need to connect to public Wi-Fi may not be secure as these can be easily hacked, read or stolen.

How does VPN software help travelers?

In such a situation, instead of leaving your data exposed, a VPN simply encrypts your internet traffic inside encapsulated data packets to create a hidden tunnel for the data. This, in turn, helps you create your private network over public Wi-Fi, making your data nearly impossible to be hacked.

Provides Geo-Independence

For people traveling to countries with strict internet access laws, you may have to deal with situations where your users are blocked and can’t access corporate resources across the open internet. This may be because the country you are traveling to has blocked access to that service or website.

What to do in such a situation?

Simply advise users to opt for VPN software which gives internet access. A VPN software spoofs the IP address so that you can get around geo-restricted content bans.

Makes Travel and Shopping Inexpensive

With the best VPN app, traveling and online shopping become cheaper.

How is it possible?

Users can simply log onto a VPN server in a country that has a low cost of living as compared to their current location. Then, you can book flight tickets and take advantage of discounts on online shopping at much lower costs. Users can further reduce their expenses by simply comparing from multiple VPN servers.

When You Should Use a VPN?

It's a common misconception that your browser and even your private browser are private spaces, however, this isn't the truth. Your ISP is watching, tracking, and gathering data the instant you try to send or receive anything over the internet. Your device's unique IP address, search queries, and the websites you visit are all visible to ISPs.

Torrenting: Secure and Anonymous Downloads

When torrenting, using a VPN greatly improves your online privacy. By hiding your IP address, a VPN makes it more difficult for someone to identify you and your online activity. When downloading files, this anonymity is essential because it shields your identity from possible legal problems.

» Learn More: Best VPN for downloading torrents safely

Gaming: Enhanced Performance and Privacy

By connecting to a server nearer to the game's hosting region, a VPN can improve your gaming experience. Gamers may be able to decrease lag and ping times, which would make the gaming experience more responsive. Furthermore, some games are region-locked, meaning that players cannot access them in specific locations. By altering your virtual location, a VPN enables you to play games.

» Learn More: Best gaming VPN

Streaming: Accessing Global Content Libraries

The way we consume entertainment has been completely transformed by streaming services, however many platforms restrict material based on geography. By getting over these geo-restrictions, a VPN can greatly improve your viewing experience. With a VPN, you can connect to a server in a different country and view a TV that's only available there.

» Learn More: Top VPNs for Netflix

Business: Protecting Sensitive Data

A VPN is an essential component of a strong security plan for businesses, not just a way to access content that is blocked. As remote work becomes more popular, a VPN offers safe access to corporate resources from any location. It ensures that private information is safeguarded even when accessed across unprotected networks. A VPN's encryption lowers the danger of data breaches and cyberattacks by protecting data sent between staff members and the company's servers.

» Learn More: How to use a VPN to access the dark web

Which Type of VPN is Right for You?

There are different types of VPNs for the unique needs of users, such as:

• Site-to-Site VPN: Perfect for companies with several offices, it links entire networks together and enables secure communication between various locations.
• Remote Access VPN: Employees who work from home frequently utilise remote access VPNs, which give users safe access to a private network from distant places.
• Cloud VPN: Enables users and cloud services to connect securely, protecting user privacy and security when using cloud apps.
• SSL VPN: Usually used for web-based apps and user-friendly connections, this technology uses the Secure Sockets Layer protocol to provide secure remote access.
• Double VPN: This feature, which is helpful for those who want more anonymity online, routes internet traffic over two VPN servers for improved privacy and security.

Where are VPNs legal or illegal?

As using a VPN to get around restrictions can have legal repercussions, users should be informed of and abide by local laws surrounding internet usage. Although VPN apps can improve privacy, users should think about the reliability of VPN services and their data logging practices.

The majority of countries permit the use of VPNs for both personal and professional purposes. However, the usage of VPNs is also subject to stringent rules in countries, such as:

Legal	Strict Internet Censorship Laws	Illegal
US, Canada, the UK, most European and Latin American countries	China, Russia, Iran, Belarus, Iraq, Oman, Turkey, Uganda, UAE, Venezuela	North Korea, Cuba, Egypt, Vietnam, Bahrain, Turkmenistan, Myanmar, Syria, Libya

**VPNs are legal in India, but the service providers can store your data and potentially access by the government.

Best Practices for Using a VPN

1. Select a Trustworthy Provider: Select a VPN application that has a strong security record and an open privacy policy.
2. Use Strong Encryption: To safeguard your data, make sure the VPN uses robust encryption algorithms, such as OpenVPN or WireGuard.
3. Avoid Free VPNs: Free providers could log user data or impair security; it's best to enroll in a reputable commercial service.
4. Activate Kill Switch: If the VPN connection fails, use a kill switch feature to stop data leaks.
5. Update Software Frequently: To guard against vulnerabilities, keep the VPN client and devices updated.
6. Ethical Considerations: There are moral questions and potential legal repercussions when using a VPN for illicit purposes like hacking or copyright infringement. Make sure to stay out of jail or any legal consequences!

VPN Buying Guide

It's time to choose the right VPN application since you are now an expert in VPN as we are. Here are some things to think about while making your purchase selection.

Factors to Consider in a VPN

1. Headquarters & Server Locations (Make sure to choose a service provider whose headquarters supports VPN legality)
2. Encryption Protocols
3. Speed
4. DNS Tests & No-log Policy
5. Device Compatibility
6. Media Streaming & Torrenting
7. Subscriptions & Pricing

Encryption Protocol	Security	Speed	Compatibility	Advantages	Disadvantages
SSTP	Strong	Fast	Windows	Bypass firewalls easily, secure encryption	Microsoft Ownership, limited cross-platform support
OpenVPN	Very Strong	Fast (UDP), Slower (TCP)	All Platforms	Secure, open-source, flexible	Complex setup for beginners
IKEv2/IPsec	Strong	Very Fast	Windows, macOS, iOS, Android	Stable on mobile networks, quick reconnection	More complex configuration
L2TP/IPsec	Secure	Moderate	Windows, macOS, iOS, Android	Easy to use, widely compatible	Slower due to double encapsulation
PPTP	Weak	Very Fast	Widely supported	Easy setup and fast connections	Outdated security vulnerabilities
WireGuard	Very Strong	Very Fast	Linux (requires config for others)	Simple setup, modern cryptography, efficient	Still under development, static IP concerns

VPN Comparisons

If you are confused about which VPN to choose, consider a detailed comparison of these top VPN software:

1. NordVPN Vs Mullvad
2. NordVPN Vs PureVPN
3. Tailscale Vs Twingate
4. Atlas VPN Vs CyberGhost VPN
5. CyberGhost VPN Vs Norton Secure VPN

VPN App	Best Price	Encryption Protocol	Server Locations	Speed	Detailed Review
Proton VPN	$9.99 /month	OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec & Wireguard	6500+ servers in 110+ countries	10 Gbps	Proton VPN Review
NordVPN	$12.99 /month	OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec & Wireguard	6362 ultra-fast servers in 111 countries	10 Gbps	NordVPN Review
Turbo VPN	$11.99 /month	OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec & L2TP/IPsec	21000+ servers in over 111 locations	2 Gbps	Turbo VPN Review
ExpressVPN	$12.95 /month	OpenVPN & IKEv2/IPsec	Servers in over 105 locations	10-25 Gbps	ExpressVPN Review
Hotspot Shield	$9.99 /month	OpenVPN & IKEv2/IPsec	1800+ servers in 80+ countries	up to 1 Gbps	Hotspot Shield Review
Surfshark	$15.45 /month	OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec & Wireguard	3200+ RAM-only servers in 100+ countries	10 Gbps	Surfshark Review
Tailscale	$5 /month	L2TP/IPsec & Wireguard	Global Servers	200 Mbps - 10 Mbps	Tailscale Review
VeePN	$10.99 /month	OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec & Wireguard	2500+ servers in 60 countries	Not Mentioned	VeePN Review
ZenMate VPN	$1.99 /month	OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec, L2TP/IPsec & Wireguard	3400+ servers in over 74 countries worldwide	290 - 300 Mbps	ZenMate VPN Review
CyberGhost VPN	₹965 /month	OpenVPN & Wireguard	11,500+ servers in 100 countries	10 Gbps	CyberGhost VPN Review
Psiphon VPN	Free	L2TP/IPsec	Global servers in more than 20 countries	5 Mbps	Psiphon VPN Review

How to install and set up a VPN?

To install and setup VPN on any device or platform, follow the instructions:

1. Choose a VPN provider.
2. Visit the website and download the app.
3. Install the app by following the instructions.
4. Log in and connect.

How to test VPN speed?

To check the VPN speed, follow the given instructions:

1. Go to speed test websites such as Ookla or Fast.com.
2. Run a test on your internet speed without connecting VPN.
3. Now, connect to the VPN and select a server.
4. Measure speed by running the test again and compare the results to see the difference in speed.

Why free VPNs are not safe?

Free VPNs are helpful, but they come with security risks, such as:

1. Data logging: A lot of free VPNs record user information, which they might then sell to outside parties.
2. Limited security features: They frequently don't have sophisticated security measures or robust encryption.
3. Malware and advertisements: Free services may infect your device with malware or display advertisements.
4. Bandwidth restrictions: Performance is impacted by the often-stringent data constraints of free VPNs.

Know more about the risks associated with free VPN apps and why free VPNs are not safe to use for browsing.

What is the difference between Tor Vs VPN Vs Routers vs. Bridges vs. Dongles?

The difference between Tor Vs VPN Vs Routers vs. Bridges vs. Dongles is:

• Tor: A network that anonymizes internet traffic by routing it through multiple volunteer nodes, enhancing privacy but reducing speed.
• VPN: Encrypts your internet connection and routes traffic through a secure server, protecting your data and location.
• Routers: Devices that connect multiple devices to the internet; some can have built-in VPN capabilities.
• Bridges: Network devices that connect two or more networks, often used to extend the reach of a local area network.
• Dongles: Small devices that provide internet connectivity (like USB modems) and can sometimes come with built-in VPN features.

For further information, related to VPN apps or software enhancements you can connect with Techjockey Team.