A virtual machine, sometimes also known simply as VM or a guest machine, is like having a completely separate machine and operating system without having one. It looks and feels like an app on your existing computer but allows you to utilize an entirely different platform. Think of it as similar to a cloud-based solution, somewhere for storage without impacting your main device.
The virtual machine appears in a box or app on the host device. Virtual machines are quite common in the computing world and are a great way to test new software in a safe environment, away from your existing data and files.
To get started with a virtual machine, you will need a Hypervisor, which works as a divider between your virtual system and your real one. The most popular Hypervisor is Microsoft Hyper-V, followed by VirtualBox and VMware Player.
While connecting to the internet on a virtual machine, it’s highly recommended that you use a virtual private network (VPN) to protect your connection. In this guide, we look at VPN clients tried and tested on virtual machines and present you with the very best options. Keep reading to find out more. Show more
Our expert team has conducted the reviews and crunched the numbers, and the below VPNs have come out on top. Keep reading to find out which is the best VPN software for a virtual machine.
| Max Speed: | 115000 Mbps |
|---|---|
| Type of IP offered: | Dedicated |
| Simultaneous connections / Users: | 6 |
| Number of Netflix Libraries: | 12 |
| Information sharing: | None |
| OS support: | Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows |
Ultra-fast connection
No-logs policy
5400 servers in 54 countries
Limited payment options
No Split Tunneling on desktop
Only 6 simultaneous connection
NordVPN is one of the safest and most secure VPNs we looked at, thanks to its many different security features. Here are some of the highlights:
A VPN connection on a virtual machine doesn’t get much safer than with NordVPN. It has an endless number of powerful privacy and security features, including 256-bit encryption, DNS leak protection, and a network kill switch. The network kill switch will end your internet connection if the VPN connection drops, keeping you secure at all times. DNS leak protection also makes sure that there’s never any compromise of your data.
There’s a huge choice of 5,500 servers available on the VPN network, allowing you to access content from all over the world in 59 countries. They can handle high traffic volumes, so whether you’re just browsing or streaming HD content, you have nothing to worry about. It couldn’t be easier to get started with NordVPN. Installation takes just seconds on all operating systems, and there is a one-click connection option.
NordVPN isn’t just a great option for VM users, but it is also a great VPN for Remote Desktop. It can provide remote workers with secure access to Windows systems from anywhere in the world.
All you need is an email address to get started. NordVPN costs $11.95, making it a little cheaper than some other VPNs. You can also make a saving if you opt for 6 months, where the cost comes down to just $9 monthly. Every purchase is protected by a 30-day money-back guarantee, which is no hassle to claim.
| Max Speed: | 58000 Mbps |
|---|---|
| Type of IP offered: | Dedicated |
| Simultaneous connections / Users: | 5 |
| Number of Netflix Libraries: | 12 |
| Information sharing: | None |
| OS support: | Android, ChromeOS, iOS, Linux, macOS, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows |
Tons of payment options
24-hour live chat suppot
30-day money back guarantee
More expensive than competitors
Only 5 simultaneous connections
No servers in Russia
ExpressVPN is the VPN of choice for those looking for a fast internet connection. Aside from powerful speeds, there are many more benefits to ExpressVPN, including:
ExpressVPN has an easy setup process and allows completely encrypted access to the internet on your virtual machine. There are over 3,000 VPN servers to choose from, and ExpressVPN is compatible with Linux, Windows, and macOS operating systems. Each user benefits from a dedicated IP address, and every connection is protected by 256-bit AES encryption.
As far as speed is concerned, a VPN doesn’t get much faster than ExpressVPN. An in-built speed test allows you to access the fastest server every time, creating a stable connection. There are no bandwidth or speed limits, so you’re free to browse as you wish with ExpressVPN. This is made even better by the fact that you can connect up to 6 devices simultaneously, covering your host machine, VM, and any mobile devices you have.
A monthly subscription costs $12.95 per month but is cheaper over 6 months at $9.99. There is also a 12-month option available for $8.32. This VPN service comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee which can be activated by contacting customer service.
| Max Speed: | Unlimited |
|---|---|
| Type of IP offered: | Shared |
| Simultaneous connections / Users: | Unlimited |
| Number of Netflix Libraries: | 15 |
| Information sharing: | None |
| OS support: | Amazon Fire TV, Android, Android TV, ChromeOS, iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows |
Full 15 Netflix Libraries
Tons of server locations
Great deal on 24 months
No Apple Pay Payment Option
Very expensive monthly
Allows P2P from all servers
Surfshark has a stellar reputation in the VPN world, and it does not disappoint. There are many different perks to using Surfshark, including:
Surfshark is the most user-friendly VPN client for a VM. It can be installed quickly on any host operating system, including both Windows and Linux. The unlimited simultaneous connections are very convenient to have, as it doesn’t matter if you have one virtual machine or ten; Surfshark will cover them all. As well as unlimited connections, there are unlimited bandwidth and no data or network speed caps.
Military-grade 256-bit AES encryption is included across the entire Surfshark network, which is the highest level of internet security available. There are also several different VPN protocols to choose from, including OpenVPN, Shadowsocks, and WireGuard. Surfshark has been tested with Virtualbox, VMware, and Hyper-V, and there are no conflicts with any of the major virtual machine apps. Got a question? The Surfshark customer support team is available 24/7 to answer any system or installation queries.
A one-month subscription to Surfshark costs $12.95, or you can pay as little as $2.49 over a 2-year plan. There is a money-back guarantee if you’re not 100% satisfied with the VPN client on your machine.
| Max Speed: | Unlimited |
|---|---|
| Type of IP offered: | Shared |
| Simultaneous connections / Users: | Unlimited |
| Number of Netflix Libraries: | 13 |
| Information sharing: | 5 Eyes Member |
| OS support: | Amazon Fire TV, Android, ChromeOS, FireOS, iOS, Linux, macOS, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox 360, Xbox One |
Awesome customer support
Netflix approved
Unlimited devices
No free trial unless you buy 24 months
Limited payment options
5-eyes member
IPVanish is all about a completely undetected VPN connection, and it does a great job of protecting its users. Here are some of the biggest IPVanish benefits:
IPVanish has a strict no-logs policy, and so the company doesn’t keep any record of your internet traffic or browsing history. This is perfectly paired with its 256-bit encryption and DNS leak protection, designed to keep your internet access and data safe. The IPVanish VPN network has over 160 different locations to choose from, so you can browse the internet and access content worldwide. IPVanish also works with all popular browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, and Tor.
Compatible with Windows, Linux, and macOS, IPVanish is easy to set up on all operating systems. You can opt to connect the VPN to the virtual machine or include it on your main network too. If you need any help or advice, the IPVanish customer support team is available 24/7 through live chat. They can help you with setup, technical queries, and everything in between.
All you need to get started with IPVanish is an email address and a payment method. It’s one of the cheapest VPN options on the market, costing just $9.99 per month or $89.99 per year. There is also a 30-day satisfaction guarantee available.
Yes, you can install a VPN on VM. So, how do you connect your virtual machine to the VPN? The first thing you need to do is ensure you have an internet connection. The best way to do so is to connect your VM to your local internet connection via your host machine. We recommend doing this via the NAT interface as this also makes it easier to configure the VM and activate the IP address, which every VM has.
Once you have set up a connection to the internet on your VM, you can download the appropriate VPN software onto your VM and launch a VPN connection.
No, if your host machine is connected to a VPN, your virtual machine won’t be and vice versa. The two machines are separate systems even though the user needs the host machine to access the VM.
There are plenty of reasons why you should use a VPN on your virtual machine. Here are the main reasons to do so:
Installing a VPN client on your virtual machine and guest VM takes just a few seconds and provides a much safer environment for browsing.
Nothing is perfect and there are some drawbacks to using a VPN on a virtual machine including the following:
We use specific review criteria to assess whether a VPN is a good choice for a VM. Only when a VPN passes all of our checks does it appear on the shortlist and as a recommendation to our readers. Here are just some of the criteria that we use during our reviews:
We expect to see a larger number of VPN servers in many different locations. This allows users to decide where to connect and provide an IP address from any country of their choosing. This is great for streaming and overcoming geographical restrictions on content services.
There’s nothing more frustrating than slow internet, and so the speed is something we take a close look at. A VPN shouldn’t slow your internet down, and in fact, a good VPN should help make it faster. This also needs to include unlimited bandwidth.
A virtual machine can run any operating system, and so your VPN must also be compatible with them. We test each VPN client on Windows, Linux, and macOS before recommending it to our readers. We also check each VPN for compatibility with popular Hypervisors like Virtualbox and Hyper-v.
Safety is important, whether you’re using the VM for personal reasons or business. A good VPN will include 256-bit AES encryption, a network kill switch, and a strict no-logs policy as standard. Extra marks are rewarded for dedicated IP addresses and DNS leak protection.
We take a look at how much the VPN costs, including any discounts for annual memberships. There are extra points rewarded for free trials and a money-back guarantee which help add value to the user’s experience.
Known as a Hypervisor, these applications are required to set up a virtual machine on your computer successfully. You only need to choose one, and they all essentially do the same thing. Which you decide to use will depend on personal preferences and requirements.
There are many practical uses for a virtual machine, and mostly all of them are software or testing related. If you’re nervous about installing new applications on your Windows machine or Mac, you can first try it on the virtual machine. Maybe you want to test some new antivirus software and its effectiveness against threats; a VM is a safe place to do this without infecting your machine.
If you can’t decide between operating systems and want to try both, you need to uninstall one and replace it with another. With a VM, you can compare both at the same time easily. Most people use a VM to experiment and develop without worrying about any long-term damage. If you break your virtual machine, you can create a new one, but it’s not simple with a real setup. Whatever your reason for wanting to tinker, it’s safest to do so with a VM.
Yes, it's entirely possible to connect a VPN to your host machine and virtual machine through a network link. The network setup can be quite complicated and depend on your connection and NAT type. Adjusting these settings is only recommended for advanced VM users with experience with VPN applications and network configurations.
Yes, the VPNs on this page have been tested on different internet browsers on a VM. This includes Firefox, Safari, Chrome, Edge, and Tor. Many also have browser extensions to make the process more convenient.
Yes, in fact, many people use virtual machines for gaming. It's a good way to install resource-heavy software and keep it separate from your main machine. Each VPN service on this list has unlimited bandwidth and no speed caps to handle high volumes of network traffic.
Hi there! I'm Monique, and I am a writer at VPNSurfers. I live in New York, but I'm originally from Delware. I love traveling, but the US will always be home to me.
I have more than 5 years of experience using VPNs, and I ha...
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