Thankfully, turning off a VPN is pretty easy, as detailed in the sections below. What’s more difficult is to find a reliable VPN to begin with, as not all VPNs are reliable and beginner-friendly. After testing 25+ options, ExpressVPN is my preferred choice due to its best overall performance and user-friendliness. You can try ExpressVPN confidently as it’s backed by a 30*-day money-back guarantee. Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. That said, our detailed reviews follow a strict methodology that examines all relevant performance factors to help you arrive at your own informed conclusion. Use ExpressVPN for online privacy
Quick Guide: 3 Easy Steps to Turn Off a VPN
Step-By-Step Guide to Turn Off a VPN on Any Device
Windows and macOS
Linux
iOS and Android
Router
Turning off a VPN on a router involves accessing the router’s settings and disabling the VPN configuration. The steps will vary depending on your router’s make and model, and the type of VPN setup you’re using. Below are general steps that apply to most situations:
Why Do I Need to Turn Off My VPN?
Turning off your VPN can be necessary or beneficial in certain situations, despite the security and privacy advantages it typically provides. Here are some common reasons why you might need to disable your VPN:
Best VPNs to Use on Any Device in 2025
1. ExpressVPN — Best Overall VPN to Use on Any Device
ExpressVPN is the #1 VPN to use due to its best overall performance. It has one of the broadest networks you’ll find in a VPN and provides blazing-fast speeds for data-intensive tasks. It also packs the state-of-the-art TrustedServer technology that runs servers entirely on RAM, ensuring your online data can’t be stored. In addition, ExpressVPN offers:
Split tunneling — lets you use the VPN only on specific apps whenever you want, eliminating the need to turn it off. Private DNS — allows ExpressVPN to handle your DNS queries within the encrypted tunnel to hide your online activities from prying eyes. Threat Manager — blocks malicious websites and trackers to secure your web browsing from cyber threats (ExpressVPN prevented targeted ads after specific Google searches). Keys Password Manager — makes logging into sensitive accounts hassle-free and secure even when you’re not connected to the VPN.
With ExpressVPN, you can bank online without being flagged or blocked. You don’t have to disconnect because all its 3,300+ servers in 105 countries are obfuscated — they disguise your traffic as regular data to prevent anti-VPN filters from identifying you. Included in its 8-device limit, you can install it on your smart TV and other devices which only takes a couple of minutes. Connecting and disconnecting is super easy, involving a simple tap on the large power button or pressing the ‘Smart Location’ button to connect to the fastest server.
My only objection to ExpressVPN is that it’s slightly pricier than its peers. However, the value it provides justifies the small additional cost. I’d rather get the top, proven name in the industry for peace of mind and save myself the hassle of switching services later on. Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. That said, our detailed reviews follow a strict methodology that examines all relevant performance factors to help you arrive at your own informed conclusion.
2. CyberGhost — Smart WiFi Protection Auto-Encrypts Your Device When You Join a Network
CyberGhost’s smart WiFi protection automatically turns the VPN on when you join a network. It’s pretty useful if you want to use the VPN on your home WiFi but not on your workplace network. This customizability removes the need to manually operate the VPN as you move across different WiFi connections. Besides this, CyberGhost protects you with:
Kill switch — disconnects you from the internet if your device suddenly crashes and the VPN server drops, preventing accidental exposure of your data and IP address. Split tunneling — lets you choose certain sites and apps to bypass CyberGhost’s connection, so you don’t have to turn it off in specific use cases. Content Block — blocks malicious ads, trackers, and sites for safe browsing on unsecured public networks.
I could use CyberGhost from my Mac’s menu bar without opening the app. Its streamlined app interface lets you configure how you want CyberGhost to behave when you join a network to protect up to 7 devices simultaneously. With its optimized servers, you don’t have to disable CyberGhost to improve performance. These special servers provide near-baseline level speeds and latency for data-intensive tasks like streaming, torrenting, and gaming — I never got drops of over 10% even on distant servers.
A small issue with CyberGhost is that its browser extension only has 4 server locations. However, this extension is free even to non-purchasers, so it’s a bonus rather than a limitation. Plus, CyberGhost’s apps are beginner-friendly, so you can connect or disconnect in mere seconds. Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as CyberGhost VPN. That said, our detailed reviews follow a strict methodology that examines all relevant performance factors to help you arrive at your own informed conclusion.
3. Private Internet Access — Customizable Encryption to Boost Speeds Without Turning Off the VPN
PIA’s flexible encryption eliminates the need to disable your VPN for performance reasons. By encrypting your data and routing it through a server, a VPN reduces your speed as the traffic has to travel a greater distance to reach you. With PIA, you can reduce encryption to 128-bit to minimize speed loss — it improved my speeds by about 8%. Even with 256-bit encryption, PIA clocked in at 85Mbps on distant servers in Australia and the US. This is plenty for data-intensive tasks like UHD streaming and gaming, eliminating the need to turn it off for performance.
Its unlimited simultaneous connections mean you’ll never stress about logging out of one device to use PIA on another. Split tunneling is only available on PIA’s Windows and Android apps, under the ‘Network’ tab. I torrented Night of the Living Dead, a public-domain movie, with PIA’s server while leaving my online gaming sessions unencrypted. My only reservation is that PIA is headquartered in the US, the center of the 5 Eyes group of intelligence-sharing countries. However, PIA has a strict no-logs policy and uses RAM-only servers to guarantee your online privacy. It also protects you with:
MACE ad blocker — blocks all pop-up ads and protects you from malware and trackers in real time by inspecting them before they can load. InBrowser — is PIA’s browsing app available on iOS and Android that clears your browsing history when you close it for online privacy.
Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as Private Internet Access. That said, our detailed reviews follow a strict methodology that examines all relevant performance factors to help you arrive at your own informed conclusion.
Get a Reliable VPN to Browse Safely in 2025
Turning off a VPN is pretty easy, but unless absolutely required, I recommend keeping it on to protect your online privacy. Browsing the web unprotected makes you vulnerable to hackers, identity theft, and other cyber threats. Unfortunately, you can’t pick a VPN blindfolded and expect it to keep you secure.
Persistent connection settings: Some VPNs have an ‘always-on’ feature that automatically reconnects even after you try to disconnect. Software glitch: The VPN software might be experiencing a temporary glitch. Make sure you’re using the most updated version of the app. Device settings: Certain network settings like proxy settings or automatic VPN connection rules might be preventing the VPN from disconnecting.
After testing the leading brands in the industry, I picked the best VPNs for safe browsing. ExpressVPN is my #1 choice due to its best overall performance and user-friendliness that lets you disable it in just a tap. You can try ExpressVPN confidently as it’s backed by a 30*-day money-back guarantee. *Please note that ExpressVPN’s generous money-back guarantee applies to first-time customers only.
Summary — Here are the best VPNs for any device
Editor’s Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, Private Internet Access, and Intego. That said, our detailed reviews follow a strict methodology that examines all relevant performance factors to help you arrive at your own informed conclusion.
