The Best VPN Client in 2026
We researched VPN clients using information from official vendor websites, including pricing pages, plan tables, and product documentation. Rankings focus on the category’s core job, value for money, and verified features, helping buyers compare device support, connection controls, and plan terms when choosing a VPN client.
Our top picks
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Top ranked
AWS Client VPN#1 of 279.1/10Strong AWS-native remote-access VPN; usage-based charges require cost monitoring.
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Runner-up
8.9/10A managed IPsec client for corporate access, with Windows-focused endpoint controls.
Pricing on request
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Top-ranked free plan
NetBird#3 of 278.8/10An open-source WireGuard network with identity controls, cloud hosting, and self-hosting.
Free plan
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
The full ranking 27 tools, best first
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Best forOrganizations accessing AWS and on-premises networks
Strong AWS-native remote-access VPN; usage-based charges require cost monitoring.
9.1/10★★★★★Visit AWS Client VPN -
Best forOrganizations standardizing on Check Point gateways
A managed IPsec client for corporate access, with Windows-focused endpoint controls.
- Split tunneling
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit Check Point -
Best forTeams wanting identity-based private network access
An open-source WireGuard network with identity controls, cloud hosting, and self-hosting.
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit NetBird -
Best forTeams connecting private networks across clouds
Encrypted private networking with subnet routing, access controls, and a free Personal plan.
Free plan · 14-day trial Our Tailscale verdict → Visit TailscaleFor vendors Sponsor this spot · #4 · $69/mo →8.7/10★★★★☆Visit Tailscale -
Best forEnterprises managing VPN and endpoint security
Combines VPN and ZTNA with endpoint protection and centralized management.
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit FortiClient -
Best forIndividuals wanting a capable free VPN
A free VPN with unlimited data, plus paid plans for streaming and P2P.
- Kill switch
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Proton VPN -
Best forUsers prioritizing a large server network and extras
A feature-rich paid VPN with broad platform support and extras across higher-tier plans.
- Kill switch
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit NordVPN -
Best forBudget-conscious users with many devices
A feature-rich VPN with broad platform support and low annual pricing.
- Kill switch
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forUsers wanting global coverage and audited privacy
A paid VPN with audited no-logs privacy and servers in 113 countries.
- Kill switch
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit ExpressVPN -
Best forHouseholds needing VPN coverage for many devices
A multi-device VPN with streaming, torrent support and optional privacy tools.
- Kill switch
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit Surfshark -
Best forUsers seeking a free, configurable VPN
Windscribe pairs configurable VPN connections with blocking tools and unlimited device connections.
- Kill switch
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Windscribe -
Best forPrivacy-focused users who value anonymous accounts
A privacy-oriented VPN with anonymous accounts, core safeguards and a flat €5 monthly price.
- Kill switch
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Mullvad VPN -
Best forUsers seeking streaming and torrent-optimized servers
A broad-device VPN for streaming and downloads, with up to seven simultaneous connections.
- Kill switch
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit CyberGhost -
Best forNew VPN users wanting a free entry point
A VPN with a 2 GB free tier, broad client coverage, and advanced connection controls.
- Kill switch
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit TunnelBear -
Best forPrivacy-minded users wanting open-source VPN clients
An open-source VPN client focused on privacy, with multi-hop routing and obfuscation.
- Kill switch
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit IVPN -
Best forFirefox users seeking a simple multi-device VPN
A paid, multi-device VPN with WireGuard and extra routing controls.
- Kill switch
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit Mozilla VPN -
Best forUsers wanting a free VPN across many device types
A free VPN with broad client coverage and privacy controls, with restricted speeds on its free plan.
- Kill switch
7.3/10★★★★☆Visit hide.me -
Best forUsers wanting a conventional VPN with browser extensions
A conventional VPN with broad platform support, streaming servers, and four browser extensions.
- Kill switch
7.2/10★★★★☆Visit VPN Unlimited -
Best forUsers needing protocol options and censorship resistance
A paid VPN with four protocol options, including Chameleon, plus streaming and P2P support.
- Kill switch
7.1/10★★★★☆Visit VyprVPN -
Best forUsers needing protocol choice and port forwarding
A feature-rich VPN for protocol choice, filtering, and port forwarding, at a high annual price.
- Kill switch
7.0/10★★★★☆Visit Astrill VPN -
Best forUsers seeking add-ons alongside VPN protection
A multi-platform VPN with optional privacy tools, but its plans cost more as extras accumulate.
- Kill switch
6.9/10★★★☆☆Visit PureVPN -
Best foriPhone users wanting VPN and threat-blocking tools
A feature-rich paid VPN for iOS users, with threat blocking but limited platform reach.
- Kill switch
6.8/10★★★☆☆Visit IPVanish -
Best forUsers who want a VPN bundled with Norton services
A Norton-bundled VPN with useful privacy tools, but relatively high annual prices.
- Kill switch
6.7/10★★★☆☆Visit Norton VPN -
Best forAdGuard users wanting a free VPN across devices
A cross-device VPN with useful controls and a free monthly traffic allowance.
- Kill switch
6.6/10★★★☆☆Visit AdGuard VPN -
Best forUsers needing a low-cost VPN with port forwarding
A paid VPN with port forwarding, streaming and P2P support, and up to 10 connections.
- Kill switch
6.5/10★★★☆☆Visit PrivateVPN -
Best forDesktop users configuring OpenVPN connections
A paid desktop client for configuring and monitoring OpenVPN connections.
6.4/10★★★☆☆Visit Viscosity -
Best forTechnical users building self-hosted VPN networks
A free, self-managed VPN building block for configuring encrypted peer networks.
6.3/10★★★☆☆Visit WireGuard
No tools match those filters.
Compare at a glance
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Kill switch | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AWS Client VPN | No | $0.10/unit usage-based | 9.1 | |
| 2 | Check Point Endpoint Security VPN | No | 8.9 | ||
| 3 | NetBird | Yes | €6/user/mo | 8.8 | |
| 4 | Tailscale | Yes | $8/user/mo | 8.7 | |
| 5 | FortiClient | No | 8.5 | ||
| 6 | Proton VPN | Yes | Yes | 8.4 | |
| 7 | NordVPN | No | Yes | 8.3 | |
| 8 | Private Internet Access | No | $3.99/mo | Yes | 8.2 |
| 9 | ExpressVPN | No | $2.99/mo | Yes | 8.1 |
| 10 | Surfshark | No | Yes | 8.0 | |
| 11 | Windscribe | Yes | $69/yr | Yes | 7.9 |
| 12 | Mullvad VPN | No | €5/mo | Yes | 7.8 |
| 13 | CyberGhost VPN | No | Yes | 7.7 | |
| 14 | TunnelBear | Yes | $3.33/mo | Yes | 7.6 |
| 15 | IVPN | No | $60/yr | Yes | 7.5 |
| 16 | Mozilla VPN | No | $4.99/mo | Yes | 7.4 |
| 17 | hide.me | Yes | Yes | 7.3 | |
| 18 | VPN Unlimited | No | $5/user/mo | Yes | 7.2 |
| 19 | VyprVPN | Yes | 7.1 | ||
| 20 | Astrill VPN | No | $12.50/mo | Yes | 7.0 |
| 21 | PureVPN | No | $57.95/yr | Yes | 6.9 |
| 22 | IPVanish | No | Yes | 6.8 | |
| 23 | Norton VPN | No | $79.99/yr | Yes | 6.7 |
| 24 | AdGuard VPN | Yes | Yes | 6.6 | |
| 25 | PrivateVPN | No | Yes | 6.5 | |
| 26 | Viscosity | No | 6.4 | ||
| 27 | WireGuard | Yes | Free | 6.3 |
Head-to-head All 24 comparisons →
- AWS Client VPN vs Check Point Endpoint Security VPN
- AWS Client VPN vs Tailscale
- AWS Client VPN vs FortiClient
- AWS Client VPN vs Proton VPN
- AWS Client VPN vs NordVPN
- AWS Client VPN vs Private Internet Access
- Check Point Endpoint Security VPN vs NetBird
- Check Point Endpoint Security VPN vs Tailscale
- Check Point Endpoint Security VPN vs FortiClient
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How we rank vpn client
Every tool on this page was researched by iTechGuides Editors from its official website — pricing pages, plan tables and product documentation. We rank on how well each one does this category's core job, what the free or entry plan includes, and where it falls short. Where we have enough verified facts, the score out of 10 is a rubric — job fit, value and how much we could verify — shown with its breakdown on every tool's page; a tool we have not verified enough to score yet shows its rank without a number. Scores are re-checked when a product changes its plans. Read the full editorial policy, or submit a tool we missed.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update