Introduction

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) client is software that securely connects a user’s device to a private or public network over the internet. By encrypting traffic and masking IP addresses, VPN clients protect data from interception, enable secure remote access, and help users maintain privacy across untrusted networks.

In today’s hybrid work environment—where employees connect from home, coffee shops, airports, and mobile devices—VPN clients play a critical role in safeguarding sensitive information. Beyond security, they are widely used to access geo-restricted content, protect intellectual property, ensure compliance, and maintain business continuity.

Real-world use cases include remote workforce access to internal systems, secure browsing on public Wi-Fi, protecting developers accessing cloud resources, and enabling compliance in regulated industries.

When choosing a VPN client, users should evaluate:

• Security strength (encryption standards, protocols)
• Performance & reliability
• Ease of use
• Platform compatibility
• Privacy posture & compliance
• Scalability and support

Best for:
VPN clients are ideal for remote workers, freelancers, IT teams, enterprises, journalists, and privacy-conscious individuals across industries like IT services, finance, healthcare, media, and e-commerce.

Not ideal for:
Organizations that already rely exclusively on zero-trust network access (ZTNA) or users who only need basic local network security without remote access may find full VPN clients unnecessary.

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Top 10 VPN Clients Tools

1 — OpenVPN

Short description:
A highly flexible, open-source VPN client trusted by enterprises and security professionals for secure remote access.

Key features

• Open-source and highly customizable
• Strong encryption (AES-256)
• Supports multiple authentication methods
• Cross-platform compatibility
• Extensive logging and audit options
• Works with self-hosted or managed servers

Pros

• Very secure and transparent
• Strong community support

Cons

• Requires technical knowledge
• UI is less beginner-friendly

Security & compliance:
Strong encryption, GDPR-friendly; compliance depends on deployment.

Support & community:
Excellent documentation, large open-source community, enterprise support available.

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2 — NordVPN

Short description:
A popular consumer-friendly VPN client focused on privacy, speed, and ease of use.

Key features

• Double VPN encryption
• Threat protection and malware blocking
• Kill switch functionality
• Fast global server network
• No-logs policy
• Easy one-click connection

Pros

• Very easy to use
• Excellent performance

Cons

• Limited enterprise controls
• Proprietary ecosystem

Security & compliance:
AES-256 encryption, GDPR aligned.

Support & community:
Strong customer support and knowledge base.

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3 — Cisco AnyConnect

Short description:
An enterprise-grade VPN client designed for secure corporate network access.

Key features

• SSL and IPsec support
• Integration with Cisco security stack
• Endpoint posture assessment
• Centralized management
• Scales for large enterprises

Pros

• Highly reliable
• Excellent enterprise security

Cons

• Expensive
• Overkill for individuals

Security & compliance:
SOC 2, ISO aligned, enterprise compliance ready.

Support & community:
Professional enterprise support, strong documentation.

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4 — WireGuard

Short description:
A modern, lightweight VPN client focused on performance and simplicity.

Key features

• Minimal codebase
• High-speed performance
• Strong cryptography
• Easy configuration
• Cross-platform support

Pros

• Extremely fast
• Simple and secure design

Cons

• Fewer built-in features
• Limited enterprise tooling

Security & compliance:
Strong encryption; compliance varies by implementation.

Support & community:
Growing open-source community.

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5 — ExpressVPN

Short description:
A premium VPN client known for speed, privacy, and global server coverage.

Key features

• TrustedServer technology
• High-speed connections
• Kill switch
• Strong privacy policies
• Easy-to-use apps

Pros

• Excellent streaming and browsing speed
• Polished UI

Cons

• Higher cost
• Limited advanced configuration

Security & compliance:
AES-256 encryption, GDPR-friendly.

Support & community:
24/7 support, strong user guides.

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6 — Proton VPN

Short description:
A privacy-first VPN client built by security experts with transparency at its core.

Key features

• Secure Core routing
• Open-source apps
• No-logs policy
• Free tier available
• Tor over VPN support

Pros

• Strong privacy focus
• Transparent policies

Cons

• Free version has limits
• Fewer servers than competitors

Security & compliance:
Strong encryption, GDPR compliant.

Support & community:
Good documentation, active privacy community.

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7 — FortiClient

Short description:
An enterprise VPN client tightly integrated with Fortinet’s security ecosystem.

Key features

• SSL and IPsec VPN
• Endpoint security features
• Centralized policy management
• Integration with FortiGate
• Device compliance checks

Pros

• Strong enterprise security
• Unified threat protection

Cons

• Complex setup
• Best suited to Fortinet environments

Security & compliance:
Enterprise-grade compliance support.

Support & community:
Enterprise support and documentation.

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8 — Surfshark

Short description:
An affordable VPN client offering unlimited device connections.

Key features

• Unlimited devices
• CleanWeb ad blocking
• MultiHop VPN
• Kill switch
• User-friendly apps

Pros

• Great value
• Easy setup

Cons

• Smaller server network
• Limited enterprise features

Security & compliance:
Strong encryption, GDPR aligned.

Support & community:
Good customer support and guides.

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9 — SoftEther VPN

Short description:
A powerful open-source VPN client supporting multiple protocols.

Key features

• Multi-protocol support
• High performance
• Strong encryption
• Cross-platform compatibility
• Free and open source

Pros

• Extremely flexible
• No licensing cost

Cons

• Outdated UI
• Steep learning curve

Security & compliance:
Strong encryption; compliance depends on setup.

Support & community:
Open-source community and documentation.

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10 — Private Internet Access

Short description:
A privacy-focused VPN client with extensive configuration options.

Key features

• Open-source apps
• Custom encryption settings
• Large server network
• Kill switch
• No-logs policy

Pros

• Highly configurable
• Affordable pricing

Cons

• UI less polished
• Speed varies by region

Security & compliance:
Strong encryption, GDPR aligned.

Support & community:
Good documentation and community forums.

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Comparison Table

Tool Name	Best For	Platform(s) Supported	Standout Feature	Rating
OpenVPN	Enterprises & developers	Windows, macOS, Linux, Mobile	Open-source flexibility	N/A
NordVPN	Individuals & SMBs	All major platforms	Double VPN	N/A
Cisco AnyConnect	Large enterprises	Desktop & mobile	Enterprise security	N/A
WireGuard	Performance seekers	All major platforms	Speed & simplicity	N/A
ExpressVPN	Premium users	All major platforms	TrustedServer	N/A
Proton VPN	Privacy advocates	Desktop & mobile	Secure Core	N/A
FortiClient	Fortinet users	Desktop & mobile	Integrated security	N/A
Surfshark	Budget users	All major platforms	Unlimited devices	N/A
SoftEther VPN	Advanced users	All major platforms	Multi-protocol	N/A
Private Internet Access	Power users	All major platforms	Custom encryption	N/A

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Evaluation & Scoring of VPN Clients

Criteria	Weight	Description
Core features	25%	Encryption, protocols, stability
Ease of use	15%	UI, onboarding
Integrations & ecosystem	15%	Compatibility with tools
Security & compliance	10%	Certifications, privacy
Performance & reliability	10%	Speed, uptime
Support & community	10%	Help, docs
Price / value	15%	Cost vs features

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Which VPN Clients Tool Is Right for You?

• Solo users: Surfshark, Proton VPN, NordVPN
• SMBs: OpenVPN, NordVPN, Private Internet Access
• Mid-market: OpenVPN, FortiClient
• Enterprise: Cisco AnyConnect, FortiClient

Budget-conscious: Surfshark, PIA
Premium: ExpressVPN
Feature-rich: OpenVPN, Cisco AnyConnect
Ease of use: NordVPN, ExpressVPN
Compliance-heavy: Cisco AnyConnect, FortiClient

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What does a VPN client do?
   It encrypts your internet traffic and securely connects you to a private network.
2. Are VPN clients legal?
   Yes, in most countries, though regulations vary.
3. Do VPNs slow down internet speed?
   Slightly, but high-quality VPNs minimize impact.
4. Is a free VPN safe?
   Some are, but many have limitations or privacy risks.
5. VPN vs Zero Trust—what’s better?
   VPNs secure network access; zero trust focuses on identity-based access.
6. Can VPNs protect on public Wi-Fi?
   Yes, they encrypt traffic on untrusted networks.
7. Do VPN clients support mobile devices?
   Most modern VPNs support iOS and Android.
8. Are VPNs compliant with regulations?
   Enterprise VPNs often support SOC, ISO, and GDPR.
9. How hard is VPN setup?
   Ranges from one-click apps to advanced configurations.
10. Can I use multiple VPNs together?
    Some tools support multi-hop or double VPN setups.

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Conclusion

VPN clients remain a cornerstone of modern digital security, enabling safe remote access, protecting privacy, and supporting compliance across industries. The right choice depends on user scale, security needs, performance expectations, and budget.

There is no universal “best” VPN client—the ideal solution is the one that aligns with your specific use case, whether that’s personal privacy, enterprise security, or global remote work enablement.