5 Best VPNs with Kill Switch in 2024

VPN connections can often drop because of weak Wi-Fi signal, overcrowded servers, firewall or antivirus interference, or unstable protocols. Unfortunately, this exposes your real IP address, location, and online activities to your ISP, the government, surveillance groups, and cybercriminals—leaving you vulnerable to cyber threats. 

As a result, your access to geo-restricted content will be interrupted, and your safety can be compromised, which is dangerous for whistleblowers and journalists. The solution is to use the best VPN with kill switch protection, which will immediately cut your Internet if your VPN connection fails. This prevents data leaks, leaving you to browse, stream, and torrent safely. 

In this article, we’ll present the 5 best kill switch VPNs and explain how to use one. We’ll also discuss what a kill switch is, how it works, and why you may need a VPN with this feature. On top of that, we’ll reveal how to choose the best VPN for you, answer some FAQs, and much more.

Best VPNs with a Kill Switch - Our Shortlist

1. NordVPN – Our #1-Rated Best VPN with Kill Switch
2. Surfshark – Lightning-Fast VPN That Employs a Kill Switch Feature
3. ExpressVPN – Kill Switch VPN with High-End Security Measures
4. CyberGhost – Affordable VPN That Comes with a Kill Switch
5. PIA – Provider with the Largest Server Fleet and a Kill Switch

How to Use a VPN with a Kill Switch Feature

To use a VPN with a kill switch feature, you must first find a VPN that offers a kill switch. Although most VPNs have an automatic kill switch, you can still turn it on manually by following these steps:

1. Subscribe to a VPN with a kill switch feature (we recommend NordVPN).
2. Download and install the VPN app on your preferred device(s).
3. Navigate to your chosen VPN’s settings. 
4. Activate the kill switch functionality.
5. Connect to a VPN server and enjoy your online activities with kill switch protection!

The Best VPNs with a Kill Switch Feature in 2024

To find the best VPN with a kill switch feature, you need to look for several essential criteria. First, the VPN must have a kill switch that prevents data leaks. The feature needs to be available on many different devices. Next, make sure the VPN has a huge server network spread across numerous countries and locations.

Additional privacy and security features are also important, such as a no-logs policy, robust VPN protocols, and strong encryption. The provider should also have obfuscated servers that will hide your VPN usage. 

Furthermore, your chosen VPN needs to deliver fast speeds and excellent overall performance. It should also allow numerous simultaneous connections, and it’s best if the VPN supports a variety of devices, including smartphones, PCs, laptops, tablets, routers, and gaming consoles. Lastly, look for a generous money-back guarantee and 24/7 customer support. 

Based on the criteria explained above, these are the 5 best kill switch VPNs:

1. NordVPN – Our #1-Rated Best VPN with Kill Switch

NordVPN is the best VPN with a kill switch because it comes with a system-level kill switch, but it does not activate automatically. So, you’ll have to turn it on in the app’s settings. The feature has two versions: one for Windows and the other for Android, macOS, iOS, and Linux. 

Its Windows kill switch works at the application level in addition to the system level, allowing you to choose specific apps to block if the VPN connection is disrupted. On macOS devices, if you use the OpenVPN protocol, you can specify which apps to protect with the kill switch, too. 

Aside from this, NordVPN has a huge server fleet with 5,800+ servers in 60 countries. They come with high-end security features, such as obfuscation, military-grade encryption, an audited no-logs policy, and robust VPN protocols like NordLynx, IKEv2/IPsec, and OpenVPN. Thus, you can be sure that you won’t face unauthorized access to your data.

NordVPN supports various devices like mobile phones, PCs, laptops, tablets, and gaming consoles. It also allows 6 simultaneous connections. Although a bit slower than ExpressVPN, NordVPN still comes with medium-fast speeds and stable performance. 

Ultimately, NordVPN has 24/7 customer support, which is very knowledgeable. It also offers a 30-day money-back that gives you a full refund if you don’t find its services suitable for your needs. 

2. Surfshark – Lightning-Fast VPN That Employs a Kill Switch Feature

Surfshark comes with exceptional speeds and consistent performance, made even better by its system-wide kill switch. You can configure this feature manually on desktop devices like Windows and macOS, as well as mobile devices like Android and iOS.

This VPN’s fleet employs 3,200+ servers located in 100 countries that offer AES-256 encryption, obfuscation, and strong VPN protocols, such as WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2. Plus, you’ll be protected by an audited no-logs policy. All this ensures that you will have top-notch online security.

Aside from being among the fastest VPNs on the market, Surfshark also allows unlimited simultaneous connections. This means you can use this provider on your computer, tablet, smartphone, or other devices and enjoy its benefits everywhere. 

Last but not least, Surfshark has 24/7 customer support and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Thanks to the generous policy, you are eligible for a full refund within the period if you are not satisfied with its services.

3. ExpressVPN – Kill Switch VPN with High-End Security Measures

ExpressVPN has an excellent kill switch VPN functionality. It comes with a kill switch called Network Lock, which is automatic and effective system-wide. There is also an application-level version, which allows you to select which apps will be protected by the kill switch. 

This provider’s kill switch works with desktop devices (Windows, macOS, and Linux), mobile devices (Android, and iOS), and routers (through its own VPN firmware). With ExpressVPN, you’ll have the most effective leak protection.

ExpressVPN boasts 3,000+ servers in 94 countries that come along with AES-256 encryption and strong VPN protocols like Lightway, L2TP/IPsec, OpenVPN, and IKEv2. Moreover, it has an audited no-logs policy and automatic obfuscation on some of its servers.

This VPN also excels when it comes to speed and performance, as ExpressVPN has breakneck speeds and very reliable performance overall. In addition, you can take advantage of its 8 simultaneous connections to use the VPN on many different devices, such as tablets, smartphones, computers, Smart TVs, routers, and gaming consoles.

In case of an issue, you can reach out to ExpressVPN’s 24/7 customer support to solve any problem that arises. On top of this, the VPN also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee that allows you to test its services and get a refund if you’re not satisfied. 

3. CyberGhost – Affordable VPN That Comes with a Kill Switch

CyberGhost is a solid Android VPN with kill-switch support. It got this reputation because its automatic, system-level kill switch is available on Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows devices. The best part is that you don’t have to spend time configuring it manually because the kill switch turns on as soon as you connect to a CyberGhost server!

Another incredible thing about this provider is that it has a vast network with 9,100+ servers in 100 countries. They all come with AES-256 encryption, an audited no-logs policy, and secure VPN protocols like WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2/IPsec. CyberGhost also has NoSpy servers that are owned and operated in-house and can’t be compelled to share your data.

One minor drawback is that CyberGhost is slower than ExpressVPN and NordVPN. Still, it makes up for this with its consistent overall performance and wide range of supported devices. You can install it on your computer, smartphone, tablet, routers, and more. It even allows 7 simultaneous connections, so you can use it on multiple devices at the same time.

Last but not least, you will benefit from reliable customer support that you can access at any time. Plus, you can take advantage of its 45-day money-back guarantee if you go for a longer subscription. 

4. PIA – Provider with the Largest Server Fleet and a Kill Switch

Private Internet Access (PIA) is another fantastic VPN that employs two types of kill switches. Its Advanced Kill Switch takes regular kill switch functionality a step further and ensures you won’t be connected to the Internet until you open the PIA app. You can use both at the system level, and they are available on Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Linux devices. 

When it comes to servers, PIA has the largest fleet, with thousands of servers in 84 countries. All of them have obfuscation, strong VPN protocols (WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2/IPsec), and AES-256 encryption. Your privacy will also be covered by an audited no-logs policy.

In terms of speed, PIA might be the slowest on our list, but this doesn’t mean that it has bad performance. In fact, it’s very reliable. It also supports unlimited simultaneous connections that allow you to use it on your computer, tablet, smartphone, router, Smart TV, and even gaming console without any restrictions.

PIA has knowledgeable customer support that you can reach at any time. This makes it easier for you to solve any issue, but that’s not all. The provider has a 30-day money-back guarantee, letting you test its services and request a refund if it’s not right for you.

What is a VPN Kill Switch and How Does It Work?

A VPN kill switch is a security feature that shuts down your Internet if your VPN connection fails. It works in the background and monitors your VPN connection at all times. If it detects an issue, it blocks your Internet access and then restores it once it deems things are safe. Therefore, it is one of the top methods for securing your online security and privacy.

Activating a kill switch works similarly to a firewall, monitoring and detecting any errors in your connection to the VPN server that could expose your data. The functionality of the kill switch can be analyzed into four stages. First, it monitors, which means it watches your VPN connection to ensure it’s active and healthy. 

Then, it detects any change in performance and stability, such as a disconnection. This will trigger it to block your system’s or specific apps’ access to the Internet. Lastly, it automatically restores the Internet connection as soon as the problem is resolved. 

Why Do You Need a VPN with a Kill Switch?

You need a VPN with a kill switch to prevent data leaks and keep your online activities concealed. However, there are a few other reasons why you need such a VPN:

• Added Security – A kill switch VPN plays a huge role in providing you with more privacy-focused features. This is especially important if you want to avoid being vulnerable to cyberattacks, leaking your IP and location, and revealing your online activities.
• Data Leak Prevention – If you want to ensure you won’t be exposed to data leaks or allow ISPs to monitor your traffic, you need the best VPN for kill switch protection. 
• Risk-Free Torrenting – Torrenting is usually a sensitive issue in most countries, and if your VPN connection drops, you may even face legal issues as your activities will no longer be hidden. Luckily, a kill switch keeps you safe by blocking your Internet access if there is a VPN disruption.
• Secretly Analyzing Your Competitors – Browsing through your competitors’ websites when launching similar content is a common marketing research practice. If you want to avoid being caught via your IP address, it’s best to find a VPN with a reliable kill switch feature that will prevent IP leaks. 
• Avoiding Geo-Blocks – Using a VPN for bypassing geo-restrictions is pretty popular. But if your real location is revealed by a VPN server interruption, the platform or service you’re using will immediately restrict your access. Once again, this is where a VPN with kill switch functionality comes in handy.

How to Choose the Best Kill Switch VPN

To choose the best kill switch VPN, you need to evaluate a few essential criteria, such as availability of a kill switch, the number of servers worldwide, security and privacy measures, and speed. Here is a complete list of features to consider that will help you pick a VPN with kill switch protection:

• Kill Switch Feature – Besides having a VPN that implements a kill switch, the feature must be available on as many platforms as possible, such as on computers, smartphones, tablets, and even routers.
• Server Network – Another thing you must consider when choosing a VPN with a kill switch is its number of servers and the number of countries it covers. Always look for thousands of servers spread across the world in numerous locations. 
• Security – You should ensure that the VPN is extremely secure by looking for robust encryption, obfuscated servers, and strong VPN protocols, as well as additional features like split tunneling and multi-hop. 
• Privacy – Your privacy should be the VPN’s top priority. That’s why we advise you to find a VPN that includes a no-logs policy so you can be sure it doesn’t collect your confidential data or monitor and record your online activities. 
• Performance and Speed – The next factor you must consider is the VPN’s speed and overall performance. It should be fast and work equally well on both nearby and remote servers, so you won’t face any interruptions. 
• Money-Back Guarantee – This criterion is a must, as it lets you test the VPN’s services risk-free by giving you a full refund within the predetermined period. 
• Customer Support – A VPN with 24/7 customer support is crucial. It should offer live chat and email support at the very least. Besides these channels, look for forums, a knowledge base, how-to guides, video tutorials, and FAQs. 

Can You Use a Free VPN with a Kill Switch?

Yes, you can use a free VPN service with a kill switch, but we don’t really recommend it. This is because most free VPNs don’t have a fully functioning kill switch. Therefore, you’re putting your privacy at risk.

Furthermore, free VPNs lack crucial security features, may collect and sell private data. They also have slower speeds, limited bandwidth, limited server fleets, and can only be used on 1 or 2 devices. All of this contributes to unreliable VPN performance and leaves you vulnerable to cyber threats.

We recommend utilizing a paid VPN, which you can find some excellent recommendations for in our article about the best VPN providers. Such VPNs come with robust kill switch features, large server networks, next-level security measures, unlimited simultaneous connections, and lightning-fast speeds. 

Final Thoughts

Interruptions in VPN connections expose your private information and activities, which can be dangerous depending on where you live and what you’re using the VPN for. This is why you need to find one with a kill switch feature that will cut your Internet to prevent data leaks.

We recommend NordVPN as the best VPN with kill switch protection. Its kill switch works at both the system level and app level. Besides this, the provider comes with thousands of servers in multiple locations, robust security and privacy features, blazing-fast speeds, and consistent performance. With NordVPN, your data and activities will be completely protected.

That’s all for our guide on the best VPN with kill switch protection. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to leave them in the comment section below. Thank you for reading!