Best VPNs with a kill switch feature
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A VPN with a kill switch is a great tool to get that extra layer of security on your mobile or desktop device. If you have it installed, you can be sure that your real IP address or location will never reach unsecured networks. That's because a kill switch will immediately shut down your internet as soon as the VPN connection gets compromised. In other words - you'll stay completely anonymous at all times!
However, finding the perfect match between your needs and available products can be frustrating. But don't worry, we got you covered! This article reviews top VPNs and explains why the kill switch feature is so important. By the end of it, you'll definitely be able to pick the best VPN with a kill switch.
You can start by checking out this list of premium products:
5 best VPNs with a kill switch
- NordVPN – Best VPN with network and app kill switch
- Surfshark – Speedy kill switch VPN that works in China
- IPVanish – VPN with customizable kill switch
- ExpressVPN – VPN with a flexible app kill switch
- CyberGhost – P2P-friendly VPN for torrenters
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 definitely get a VPN which 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 though 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 we deem the best. Keep in mind that we 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: | 6800+ servers in 111 countries |
| Platforms: | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV |
| Current deal: | 🔥 Cyber Monday! Get 74% OFF NordVPN + 3 months free 🔥 |
NordVPN is at the top of our 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: | 3200+ servers in 100 countries |
| Platforms: | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, Amazon Fire TV |
| Current deal: | 🔥 Cyber Monday! Now up to 87% OFF Surfshark + 4 months FREE 🔥 |
Surfshark is another great option for users searching for high-quality protection services. 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 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 3200 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. Does this sound like the best VPN with a kill switch for torrenters? Oh, yes, it does!
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: | 2400+ servers in 100 countries |
| Platforms: | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS |
| Current deal: | 🔥 Cyber Monday! Now up to 83% OFF IPVanish 🔥 |
IPVanish offers the standard kill switch feature for macOS, Android mobile, 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 to stop LAN traffic only when 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 leak protection for its users. Besides strong security, it is well-known for its fast speed that you can enjoy while accessing geo-restricted content – this is excellent for unblocking Netflix and YouTube.
You can easily choose from over 2400 servers in 100 countries by getting an affordable subscription plan. In fact, this VPN with a kill switch is one of the most wallet-friendly options available in 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: | 3000+ servers in 105 countries |
| Platforms: | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
| Current deal: | 🔥 Cyber Monday! Now up to 82% OFF ExpressVPN + 6 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 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 leaks. With a single subscription, you can also use ExpressVPN on 8 devices without any drawbacks. ExpressVPN also has over 3000 servers in 105 countries – that’s a pretty big number of streaming libraries and geo-restricted sites unblocked. Another cool feature is the Threat Manager which blocks malicious and annoying ads, websites, and trackers.
Unfortunately, ExpressVPN doesn’t have a free trial and is kind of on the more expensive side. 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 for torrents
| Based in: | Romania |
| Servers/countries: | 11500+ servers in 100 countries |
| Platforms: | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
| Current deal: | 🔥 Cyber Monday! Get 84% OFF CyberGhost + 4 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 also 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 we’ve seen in 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.
How we selected and tested these VPNs
Since the market currently offers a vast range of different products, choosing the best VPN with a kill switch might seem confusing. We have listed our top five choices based on closely selected attributes that would enhance your experience and ensure top-notch security.
Presented VPNs were selected based on their:
- Kill switch functionality. While all trustworthy VPNs have the kill switch feature, some of them offer the possibility of customization. The highest-ranked products give flexibility for users who have different security preferences.
- Security. VPN products are all about security. Any additional features that add value to the overall protection are considered beneficial. The VPNs on this list include IP and DNS leak protection or use strong encryption algorithms to provide security of the highest quality.
- Speed. Fast and quality services are always appreciated and VPNs are no exception. The list includes carefully tested products that can quickly deliver their services and allow users to exploit the speed for some extras, like worry-free streaming, torrenting, or online gaming.
- Compatibility. Even though some people might think that only desktop devices are vulnerable to cyber attacks, our experience differs. It is essential to protect all gadgets and VPNs compatible with a wide range of devices are prioritized in this list.
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 in-built in 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
- use public wifi
- update your computer and forget to start VPN
- your firewall blocks the VPN connection
This feature is highly important to help you protect sensitive information – IP address, location, etc. – and all trustworthy VPNs must have it. You are welcome to read our guide on how the VPN with kill switch works to find out more.
Why does the VPN connection drop?
There are multiple reasons why your VPN connection drops. One of the most common ones is network overcrowding, a.k.a. 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 wifi 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?
We 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 should you pay for one if you can get it for free?
From our long experience in cybersecurity, we 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, our top picks are NordVPN and Surfshark. We always want what's best for our readers and these VPNs have an amazing price/quality ratio that others just can't offer.
More VPN guides from CyberNews:
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Best no-log VPNs: browse anonymously with a VPN
Best VPNs with antivirus included: protect your device and privacy online
FAQ
Which VPN has a kill switch?
NordVPN, VyprVPN, and Surfshark have it among other VPNs. These VPN service providers are highly focused on delivering premium security, so their kill switch feature is definitely reliable. You can pick any of them and be sure that your IP 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. Honestly, 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.
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