Best VPNs with a kill switch feature
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Best VPNs with a kill switch give you an extra layer of security by cutting your internet if the encrypted tunnel fails, so your real IP address and location never leak. This means your traffic cannot quietly fall back to an unsecured network, which is especially important on public Wi-Fi or unstable connections.
Choosing the best VPNs with a kill switch can be overwhelming because many services either hide this feature in settings or implement it poorly. In this article, I give you a clear overview of top VPN providers, how their kill switches work in real life, and why this safeguard is essential for privacy-focused streaming, browsing, and torrenting.
5 best VPNs with a kill switch
- NordVPN – best VPN with network and app kill switch
- Surfshark – cheap kill switch VPN
- IPVanish – VPN with customizable kill switch
- ExpressVPN – VPN with a flexible app kill switch
- CyberGhost – P2P-friendly VPN with a kill switch
Why do I need a VPN with a kill switch?
A kill switch is like an additional shield that helps to maximize protection for privacy-conscious users. Here are a few reasons why you should get a VPN that has one:
- Extra security. The kill switch feature provides an extra layer of security to protect your location, IP address, and other important data from accidental exposure.
- Avoid unsecured connections. If you regularly use peer-to-peer (P2P) platforms to download files, a kill switch is a must to terminate downloads through unsecured connections.
- Maintain anonymity. You can remain anonymous at all times and secure unencrypted information if your VPN stops working.
- Protect data. During unexpected connectivity issues, a kill switch helps to keep private details safe and avoid potential identity theft attacks.
Best VPNs with a kill switch option – detailed list
Below, you'll see the VPNs with a kill switch that I deem the best. Keep in mind that I tested all of these kill switch features and can guarantee that your real IP address won't get leaked.
1. NordVPN – offers network and app kill switch options
| Based in: | Panama |
| Servers/countries: | 9,500+ servers in 149 countries |
| Platforms: | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV |
| Current deal: | Get 75% OFF NordVPN + 3 months free |
NordVPN is at the top of my list, giving users the possibility to have multifaceted protection on all their devices. The company highly values privacy and aims to provide the best security services for its users. It offers two types of network disconnection options – network and app kill switch.
The app kill switch terminates specific applications if the VPN stops working on both Windows and macOS. You can make a list of apps you want to stop sending unprotected traffic and manually modify it whenever needed. Meanwhile, the network kill switch blocks all internet traffic without terminating particular apps. It is available on Android and iOS mobile devices.
Aside from great kill switch features, this VPN is also one of the safest and fastest products on the market. It uses strong AES-256 encryption together with the innovative NordLynx protocol. You can enjoy the benefits of its speed without compromising your privacy.
Additionally, NordVPN has a strict no-logs policy and offers split tunneling support. It is located in Panama, where no legal obligations on collecting users’ data apply. Likewise, users can keep their sensitive information to themselves, hide browsing activities, and still enjoy accessing local networks and services.
Look for more features in our NordVPN review.
2. Surfshark VPN – one of the cheapest tools with a kill switch
| Based in: | The Netherlands |
| Servers/countries: | 4,500+ servers in 100 countries |
| Platforms: | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, Amazon Fire TV |
| Current deal: | Now up to 85% OFF Surfshark + 3 months FREE |
Surfshark is another great option for users searching for high-quality protection services for an affordable price. Save even more with Surfshark discount code: OFFCN. It not only provides an automatic kill switch feature but also allows you to hide all VPN traces on your connection, which is great for locations where VPN use is limited (like China) and for users who need that extra pinch of security.
This VPN uses the time-tested AES-256 cipher to secure data and protect against DNS and IP address leaks. Users can enjoy unlimited simultaneous connections on all their devices with a single subscription. Additionally, those seeking a free VPN with a kill switch should note that Surfshark offers a free 7-day trial for Android and iOS users.
But the best part is that over 4,500 of its servers operating across 100 countries are 100% RAM-only – they wipe out all data with every reboot and dedicate a private DNS for each server. Also, Surfshark is ranked exceptionally high in terms of speed and P2P compatibility. It is one of the best VPN with a kill switch for torrenters.
To learn more, take a look at our Surfshark VPN review.
3. IPVanish – customize kill switch according to your needs
| Based in: | United States |
| Servers/countries: | 3,400+ servers in 112 countries |
| Platforms: | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS |
| Current deal: | Now up to 83% OFF IPVanish |
IPVanish offers the standard kill switch feature for macOS, Android, and iOS clients to block all internet access when the VPN connection is unstable. Windows users can even customize the kill switch to suit their privacy protection needs. For example, you can set it to stop LAN traffic only when the VPN disconnects or choose to always prevent local network interfaces.
This is exceptionally useful for people regularly using public libraries or on campuses, as blocking LAN traffic helps to avoid accidental data leaks through shared servers or systems. The customizable VPN kill switch option ensures strict privacy even in public places.
Keep in mind that IPVanish VPN uses robust 256-bit AES encryption and offers IP address leak protection for its users. Besides strong security, it is well-known for its fast speed, which you can enjoy while accessing geo-restricted content – this is excellent for unblocking Netflix and YouTube.
You can easily choose from over 3,400 servers in 112 countries by getting an affordable subscription plan. In fact, this VPN with a kill switch is one of the most wallet-friendly options available on the market.
To find out more, check our full IPVanish review.
4. ExpressVPN – VPN with a flexible app kill switch
| Based in: | British Virgin Islands |
| Servers/countries: | Undisclosed number of servers in 105 countries |
| Platforms: | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
| Current deal: | Now up to 80% OFF ExpressVPN + 4 months FREE |
ExpressVPN offers some pretty good online security features, including a kill switch feature called Network Lock. Like with other VPNs, this feature kills your internet connection in case a safe VPN tunnel is compromised and stops working. ExpressVPN's kill switch is also customizable – you can set it up to work only on specific apps.
The VPN uses AES-256 encryption to keep your data safe, as well as prevent any DNS and IP address leaks. With a single subscription, you can also use ExpressVPN on up to 14 devices without any drawbacks. ExpressVPN has servers in 105 countries – although it doesn’t indicate a specific number, the countries covered prove it’s great for unblocking streaming libraries and geo-restricted sites. Another cool feature is the Threat Manager, which blocks malicious and annoying ads, websites, and trackers.
Unfortunately, ExpressVPN is can get expensive if you need up to 14 simultaneous connections and extra features with your plan. Nevertheless, the 30-day money-back guarantee lets you try out this VPN and its kill switch for a whole month without any risks. If you end up changing your mind later, you can always get your money back.
For more information, take a look at our ExpressVPN review.
5. CyberGhost – P2P-friendly VPN with a kill switch
| Based in: | Romania |
| Servers/countries: | Servers in 100 countries |
| Platforms: | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
| Current deal: | Get 88% OFF CyberGhost + 2 months FREE |
Last but not least, CyberGhost is another good VPN that offers an automatic kill switch among its many features. This kill switch worked perfectly during our testing and is available both on desktop and mobile devices. The only downside is that you can’t make it work only with specific apps, and the mobile kill switch is impossible to turn off.
CyberGhost comes with IP leak and DNS leak protection, as well as some other features focused on security and privacy. For example, the NoSpy servers based in Romania offer you a higher degree of privacy protection and anonymity, no matter what you’re doing online. Also, CyberGhost has specialized servers for torrenting, too.
CyberGhost offers 1-day, 3-day, and 7-day free trials depending on which device you are using it on. After that, you can get a 45-day money-back guarantee, which is probably the longest money-back guarantee I’ve seen on the VPN market. All in all, there is no risk in trying CyberGhost out.
To find out more, take a look at our in-depth CyberGhost review.
What is a VPN kill switch?
A VPN kill switch is a feature that monitors your VPN connection and immediately blocks internet traffic if the connection is lost. Usually, the switch feature is built into most of the reliable VPNs available on the market to ensure data protection, and can be manually switched on/off in the settings panel.
Generally, there are two categories of the VPN kill switch feature: system and app kill switches. A system kill switch is also known as a network kill switch and refers to blocking all traffic once the VPN connection drops. An app kill switch, on the other hand, only stops traffic from specific apps that you can add/delete from the list.
Usually, VPN providers offer the system-level kill switch option on both desktop and mobile devices, while the application-level kill switch is mostly available for computer users only.
Once the kill switch is enabled on the VPN, it activates on several occasions:
- If you disconnect from the VPN
- If you use public Wi-Fi
- If you update your computer and forget to start the VPN
- If your firewall blocks the VPN connection
This feature is essential to help you protect sensitive information, such as IP address and location, and all trustworthy VPNs must have it.
Why does the VPN connection drop?
There are multiple reasons why your VPN connection drops. One of the most common ones is network overcrowding, also known as network congestion. In simple terms, if you are connected to a highly busy network, your VPN might not receive enough bandwidth, becoming unstable. Likewise, you will most likely encounter issues with the VPN connection.
Another reason for frequent connectivity issues can be a weak Wi-Fi signal. Poor signal strength leads to regular disconnections. However, it doesn’t apply if you are using a wired connection directly to the router.
Finally, if your VPN connection keeps dropping, you should check your firewall and router configuration. Sometimes, a new firewall blocks the VPN connection and must be manually adjusted to resolve the issue. The same problems might occur with specific routers – keep an eye on connection-related settings.
Can I use a free VPN with a kill switch?
I understand that there are plenty of paid and free VPNs offering the kill switch feature. However, the question is whether they are any good and why you should pay for one if you can get it for free.
From my long experience in cybersecurity, I can most certainly say that the kill switch feature is an attribute of a reliable and robust VPN – unfortunately, none of them offer their services for free. If you are truly concerned about your privacy, you must invest in trustworthy products. Luckily, most of the best VPNs with kill switches have surprisingly affordable subscription plans that are wallet-friendly.
Additionally, the majority of VPN service providers allow users to test their products by offering money-back guarantees. For example, Surfshark allows users to try Android VPN with a kill switch and get a full refund within 30 days if they change their mind. Similar options are offered by NordVPN as well.
Conclusion
A reliable VPN with a kill switch keeps your data safe at all times. Even though all of the listed VPNs provide excellent services, my top picks are NordVPN and Surfshark. I always want what's best for my readers, and these VPNs have an amazing price-quality ratio that others can't always offer.
FAQ
Which VPN has a kill switch?
NordVPN, Surfshark, and other VPNs on this list have it. These VPN service providers are highly focused on delivering premium security, so their kill switch features are definitely reliable. You can pick any of them and be sure that your IP address will not be exposed.
Should I use the VPN kill switch?
Yes, you should use the VPN kill switch feature if you want to protect unencrypted data and secure your IP address. Everyone should use one, including regular peer-to-peer (P2P) software or torrent users who want to remain anonymous, as well as activists, journalists, or anyone working closely with important documents and data.
How do I turn on the VPN kill switch?
You can turn on the kill switch in the Settings of the VPN you are using. Usually, you should navigate to the General or Advanced Options in Settings and find the kill switch activation button. However, steps might differ depending on the VPN you are using.
