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A VPN client: Download VPN software and protect your traffic

  • Get a dedicated VPN app for instant connection.

  • Choose from different VPN protocols for the best speed and security.

  • Use NordVPN on multiple devices at the same time.

  • Access NordVPN’s advanced features.

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A woman using the NordVPN VPN client on her phone to secure her connection.

What is a VPN client?

A VPN client is a software-based solution that establishes a secure, encrypted connection between your device and a VPN server. In other words, a VPN client service reroutes your internet traffic through a secure server, protecting your online activities from prying eyes. Most VPN providers have their own VPN client software, designed to allow easy access to the provider’s VPN servers and offer advanced security features (like NordVPN’s Threat Protection Pro™).

How does a VPN client work?

Your VPN client uses VPN protocols to create an encrypted “tunnel” between your device and your chosen VPN server. From that point on, all online traffic between you and the VPN server is encrypted and shielded from prying eyes. The VPN server decrypts the received data and safely passes it on to its final destination (such as a website).

A diagram showing how a VPN client works to secure the user’s connection against outside threats.
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Why use a VPN client?

Features

Installing dedicated VPN software can let you easily manage the extra perks that come with your VPN subscription. For example, the NordVPN app has advanced options such as Threat Protection Pro™, Dark Web Monitor, Meshnet, and other handy features.

Customization

A VPN client provides an intuitive interface for you to configure the VPN service to your needs. Customize your Kill Switch settings, set up Auto-connect for an easy start, select your preferred protocol (such as the NordLynx VPN protocol for top speed) — and that’s just the start.

Ease of use

Want to hop from Berlin to New York with the click of a button? You can do that with a VPN client. No need to manually type out commands and look up VPN server addresses — with the NordVPN app, you simply tap a pin on the map.

Information

How many VPN servers are available in France? How busy are they? Without a VPN client, you would have to hunt down this information on the web or by using cumbersome text commands. A VPN client gives you everything you need to know.

Authentication

VPN clients let users easily sign in to their VPN service — it’s just like logging in to any other app. Thanks to the app’s graphical user interface, you don’t need to navigate the command prompt to access what you paid for or switch accounts.

Split tunneling

Split tunneling lets specific apps access the internet directly without turning off your VPN — but it can be very tricky to set up without visual cues. A VPN client can easily pick and choose apps to exclude from the secure VPN tunnel.

Types of VPN clients

There are three main types of VPN clients: system-based, protocol-based, and service-based.

System based (native)

Some operating systems offer native VPN clients, letting users establish a VPN connection without having to download any third-party software. This option is available on many Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android systems.

Protocol based

Several VPN protocol developers (such as OpenVPN and SoftEther) have created their own VPN clients. These clients are not tied to any single VPN provider — but they also typically only support VPN connections using the developer’s own VPN protocol.

Service based

Most VPN providers have their own VPN client apps. These VPN clients are configured to connect to the provider’s servers, let you freely choose between multiple VPN protocols, and usually offer extra security features (such as NordVPN’s Threat Protection Pro™ or Meshnet).

Technical specifications for VPN clients

Check out what your devices need to run NordVPN smoothly.

The NordVPN VPN client active on a Windows device, showing that the user’s connection is encrypted.

Requirements for the Windows VPN client

  • Application: Windows 10 (64-bit), Windows 11

  • OpenVPN manual (the latest version): Windows 7, Windows 7 Service Pack 1, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10 (version 1507+), Windows 11

  • IKEv2 manual: Windows 10 (version 1507+)

  • Not supported: Anything older than Windows 7

Free vs. paid VPN client

There are plenty of free VPNs out there — so why choose a paid VPN instead of a free one?

If you’re using a free VPN to improve your online privacy, you might, in fact, be doing the opposite.

Remember — free VPN providers have to pay their bills just like everyone else. Free VPNs may try to cut costs by pushing ads, supporting only a few heavily loaded servers, and not investing in speed or connectivity. In rare cases, free VPNs might even resort to selling their clients’ data or using their devices as exit nodes for paying VPN users.

Paid VPN providers like NordVPN offer both speed and security. With thousands of servers in all corners of the world, you’re bound to find one close by for the best possible VPN speed. And with advanced VPN encryption algorithms and useful extra features, the NordVPN app stands out among the best VPN clients.

A customer support agent holding a question mark, ready to talk about VPN clients in the chat.

Should you configure your VPN manually?

A person configuring the VPN client manually on their laptop.

Setting up an OpenVPN connection manually often requires technical knowledge, can be time-consuming, and may prevent you from accessing advanced VPN features the client may offer. So if you don’t feel confident in your technical skills and want to use NordVPN’s best features, it’s better to use our easy-to-use apps.

But where should you start if you still want to try to configure your VPN manually? Download the OpenVPN configuration files and follow our guides on how to set up OpenVPN on your devices. If you’re having trouble with the manual setup, simply contact our support for help.

Frequently asked questions