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There is no evidence-based list of five VPNs that are best specifically for Microsoft Teams or Zoom calls: the available VPN rankings measure general VPN performance, not call quality. More importantly, routing Teams through a VPN can add latency and jitter or interfere with its media traffic. If you need a VPN for privacy or network access, compare providers for speed, app-routing controls, supported devices and current terms—but for work Teams calls, ask your IT administrator whether call traffic should bypass the VPN.
Microsoft retired consumer Skype on May 5, 2025, and directed users to Teams Free as its migration path. Skype for Business was not included in that retirement. Microsoft’s Skype retirement notice explains the transition.
What replaced Skype?
For consumer Skype users, Microsoft’s stated migration path was Teams Free. The transition notice said users could sign in to Teams Free with their Skype credentials and transfer contacts and chats. That consumer retirement did not mean Skype for Business was retired at the same time. Microsoft also said the 60-minute Skype calling feature included with Microsoft 365 Personal and Family would be removed starting in March 2026; that change is separate from the retirement of the consumer Skype app. See Microsoft’s transition details.
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Does a VPN help or hurt Teams and Zoom calls?
A VPN is not automatically an improvement for video calls. For organizational Teams networks, Microsoft recommends split tunneling: send Teams traffic directly to Microsoft rather than through the organization’s VPN. Microsoft says VPNs may not be designed for real-time media, may lack required UDP support, and can add encryption overhead or route traffic inefficiently. A distant VPN endpoint can also increase latency and jitter. This is Microsoft’s guidance for managed Teams networks, not a universal finding about every consumer VPN or about Zoom. Microsoft’s Teams network guidance states: “We recommend that you provide an alternate path for Teams traffic that bypasses the virtual private network (VPN), commonly known as split-tunnel VPN.”
#1 Best Overall
- DUAL-BAND WIFI 6 ROUTER: Wi-Fi 6(802.11ax) technology achieves faster speeds, greater capacity and reduced network congestion compared to the previous gen. All WiFi routers require a separate modem. Dual-Band WiFi routers do not support the 6 GHz band.
- AX1800: Enjoy smoother and more stable streaming, gaming, downloading with 1.8 Gbps total bandwidth (up to 1200 Mbps on 5 GHz and up to 574 Mbps on 2.4 GHz). Performance varies by conditions, distance to devices, and obstacles such as walls.
- CONNECT MORE DEVICES: Wi-Fi 6 technology communicates more data to more devices simultaneously using revolutionary OFDMA technology
- EXTENSIVE COVERAGE: Achieve the strong, reliable WiFi coverage with Archer AX1800 as it focuses signal strength to your devices far away using Beamforming technology, 4 high-gain antennas and an advanced front-end module (FEM) chipset
- OUR CYBERSECURITY COMMITMENT: TP-Link is a signatory of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) Secure-by-Design pledge. This device is designed, built, and maintained, with advanced security as a core requirement.
What to do on a work device
Ask your employer’s IT administrator whether Teams traffic should bypass the VPN and how that route is configured. Do not independently bypass corporate security controls. If calls become choppy only when a VPN is active, report that detail to IT; the route, VPN gateway, UDP support and network conditions may need checking.
Microsoft’s bandwidth planning figures
Microsoft’s network guidance lists these recommended bandwidth figures per endpoint. They are planning recommendations, not guarantees of call quality or VPN performance; actual use varies with layout, resolution and frame rate.
Rank #2
- OneMesh Compatible Router - Form a seamless WiFi when work with TP-Link OneMesh WiFi Extenders
- Next-Gen Wi-Fi 6 Technology – The Archer AX10 leverages advanced Wi-Fi 6 features like OFDMA and 1024-QAM to deliver improved efficiency across your entire network. Perfect for high-bandwidth activities like streaming, gaming, and smart home connectivity.
- Next-gen Dual Band router - 300 Mbps on 2. 4 GHz (802. 11n) plus 1201 Mbps on 5 GHz (802. 11ax)
- Connect more devices than ever before - Wi-Fi 6 technology simultaneously communicates more data to more devices using OFDMA and MU-MIMO while reducing lag dramatically
- Powerful Dual-Core 900MHz Processor – Handles multiple data streams simultaneously for reliable performance across your devices. Ensures smooth streaming, online gaming, and video conferencing without buffering or lag.
| Teams call type | Recommended upload | Recommended download |
|---|---|---|
| One-to-one video call | 1,500 kbit/s | 1,500 kbit/s |
| Meeting | 2,500 kbit/s | 4,000 kbit/s |
Figures are from Microsoft’s Teams network table.
Does a VPN replace Teams encryption?
No. Microsoft says Teams encrypts communications by default using TLS and SRTP. A VPN creates a protected connection between your device and the VPN service, but that is not the same as Teams end-to-end encryption (E2EE). Microsoft’s optional Teams E2EE applies to one-to-one calls, must be enabled by both participants, and protects audio, video and screen sharing. Features including recording and transcription are unavailable during an E2EE call. Read Microsoft’s Teams security guide and Teams E2EE support details. These Teams-specific security facts should not be assumed to describe Zoom.
Rank #3
- NIGHTHAWK WIFI 6 ROUTER FOR YOUR WHOLE HOME: Delivers fast, reliable WiFi across every room of your apartment or small home for streaming, gaming, video calls, and smart home devices, all running at the same time without slowing each other down.
- WORKS WITH YOUR EXISTING INTERNET SERVICE: Pairs with your existing modem or gateway via ethernet. Compatible with most cable, fiber, DSL, and satellite providers. Some gateways and modem router combos may require bridge mode. No coax needed.
- SET UP AND MANAGE YOUR NETWORK WITH THE NIGHTHAWK APP: Download the free Nighthawk app on iOS or Android for guided setup. Manage WiFi, run speed tests, pause devices, and set up guest networks from anywhere. Active internet required.
- READY FOR THE DEVICES YOU ALREADY OWN: Your phones, laptops, and TVs work right out of the box. WiFi 6 delivers speeds up to 1.8 Gbps across 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. Backward compatible with WiFi 5 and earlier.
- COVERAGE IN EVERY ROOM: Covers up to 1,500 sq. ft. for up to 20 connected devices. Walls, floors, and interference can reduce range. Larger or multi-story homes may benefit from a NETGEAR Orbi mesh WiFi system.
How to choose a VPN if you still need one
Choose based on why you need the VPN, not on a promise that it will make calls better. Check the following before subscribing:
- Speed and stability: Look for relevant, independently described testing, but do not treat general speed results or streaming performance as proof of better Teams or Zoom calls.
- App-level routing: Split tunneling or app exclusions can send selected apps outside the VPN. Confirm that the feature exists on your particular operating system and app version; availability may differ by platform.
- Privacy and security evidence: Review what the provider says it collects and what independent audits or testing actually cover.
- Device and location support: Make sure the service supports the devices you use and has suitable locations for your needs. A farther endpoint can undermine call responsiveness.
- Total cost and renewal terms: Compare the current full-term price, renewal price and cancellation terms for your region rather than relying on a promotional headline.
One example of a feature to verify is ExpressVPN’s app-routing capability: the provider says its split-tunneling feature can route some apps through the VPN and others through the regular internet. Its feature page does not establish that the same controls are available on every platform, so check the provider’s feature details for your device.
Rank #4
- Next-Gen Gigabit Wi-Fi 6 Speeds: 2402 Mbps on 5 GHz and 574 Mbps on 2.4 GHz bands ensure smoother streaming and faster downloads; support VPN server and VPN client¹
- A More Responsive Experience: Enjoy smooth gaming, video streaming, and live feeds simultaneously. OFDMA makes your Wi-Fi stronger by allowing multiple clients to share one band at the same time, cutting latency and jitter.²
- Expanded Wi-Fi Coverage: 4 high-gain external antennas and Beamforming technology combine to extend strong, reliable, Wi-Fi throughout your home.
- Improved Battery Life: Target Wake Time helps your devices to communicate efficiently while consuming less power.
- Improved Cooling Design: No heat ups, no throttles. A larger heat sink and redefined case design cools the WiFi 6 system and enables your network to stay at top speeds in more versatile environments.
What current VPN rankings can—and cannot—tell you
TechRadar’s 2026 general VPN guide names NordVPN its best overall choice and also recommends Surfshark and Proton VPN. That guide is useful as broad shortlist context, not as a test of Teams or Zoom call quality. Read TechRadar’s 2026 VPN guide.
Recommended Free Tools
NordVPN describes an Artifact Security comparison conducted in June 2026 that tested NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Mullvad, Proton VPN and Surfshark on general criteria including speed, leak protection, website accessibility, feature reliability and connection time. NordVPN reports results of 526.6 Mbps download and 223.3 Mbps upload for its own service. These figures are NordVPN’s account of that test, not video-call measurements, guarantees or a neutral ranking for this use case. The provider’s description is at NordVPN’s account of the Artifact Security test.
Best Value
- 𝐆𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐭 𝐖𝐢𝐅𝐢 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝟖𝐊 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 – Up to 5400 Mbps WiFi for faster browsing, streaming, gaming and downloading, all at the same time. Performance varies by conditions, distance to devices, & obstacles such as walls.
- 𝐅𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐅𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐖𝐢𝐅𝐢 𝟔 𝐑𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐫 – Equipped with 4T4R and HE160 technologies on the 5 GHz band to enable max 4.8 Gbps ultra-fast connections.Power:12 V 2.5 A
- 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 – Supports MU-MIMO and OFDMA to reduce congestion and 4X the average throughput
- 𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 - Covers up to 2,000 sq. ft. High-Power FEM, 6× Antennas, Beamforming, and 4T4R structures combine to adapt WiFi coverage to perfectly fit your home and concentrate signal strength towards your devices.
- 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐕𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬, 𝐋𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐭 – Improved vented areas help unleash the full power of the router
Neither source establishes five VPNs as the best for Teams or Zoom. A defensible call-specific ranking would require comparable tests using those apps, with explicit devices, locations, VPN endpoints, network conditions and call scenarios. No such test results are established here, so naming five providers as call-quality winners would overstate the evidence.
Quick Recap
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