Best VPN for Microsoft Teams

Are you tired of dealing with slow or unreliable Microsoft Teams connections? Look no further than our comprehensive guide to the best VPNs for Microsoft Teams. But not just any VPN will do – for Teams to function properly, split tunneling is a must.

Don’t let lag and connectivity issues hinder your productivity. Our team has done the research to bring you a curated list of top picks, along with mini reviews of each VPN and answers to all your burning questions in our FAQs.

If you’re in a rush, we’ve included a summary of our top recommendations below. You will find in-depth reviews of each provider a little further down. For now, he’s our best picks:

1. NordVPN: Our top choice for Microsoft Teams. Very fast, vast network, and now supports split tunneling. Has a 30-day money-back guarantee.
2. Surfshark: Best budget premium VPN is very fast, privacy-oriented, and secure. Lets you split-tunnel apps or websites.
3. ExpressVPN: Premium VPN with servers in 94 countries, very fast connections, and enables several split tunneling methods.
4. CyberGhost: Fastest VPN includes split tunneling in Android app and some equivalents in other apps.
5. Private Internet Access: Fast VPN with strong security. Supports split tunneling.
6. Hotspot Shield: Easy-to-use VPN has improved its performance and privacy policy. Has a split tunneling feature called “Smart VPN.”
7. ProtonVPN: Fast VPN with excellent privacy. Has split tunneling feature in Windows and Android apps.

The best VPNs for Microsoft Teams

We explain more about our testing methodology later in this article. In brief, we look for the following:

• Excellent speeds and reliable connections
• Split-tunneling capability
• Lots of server locations
• Responsive customer support
• Strong security and privacy features.

Here’s our list of the best VPNs for Microsoft Teams:

1. NordVPN

Apr 2024 works with Microsoft TeamsTested Apr 2024

NordVPN is our top recommendation for MS Teams and 365. It’s the fourth fastest VPN, according to our recent testing. It has more than 5,500 servers throughout the world. It works well for users in China. Those assets and excellent security features make it the best all-around VPN for Microsoft Teams.

If you need to bypass your VPN to access Microsoft Teams, NordVPN offers two types of split tunneling. Its Windows and Android apps allow you to whitelist specific trusted programs that are allowed to directly access the internet (Microsoft Teams in this case).

This premium VPN service has all the standard security capabilities plus ad and pop-up blocking, protection against malware, tracker-blocking, obfuscated servers, private DNS, and kill switches. NordVPN maintains a strict no-logs policy.

NordVPN also excels at overcoming geographic content blocks on streaming media services. It works with Netflix in many countries, for example.

NordVPN’s prices are higher than some other VPNs, but a good value when compared with other premium VPNs. ExpressVPN, the top competitor in that tier, costs twice as much.

NordVPN earns accolades for its tech support and other customer service concerns. The VPN has an excellent rating based on more than 20,000 user reviews on the Trustpilot website.

TOP VPN FOR MICROSOFT TEAMS:NordVPN is a superb all-around VPN. It’s very fast, has extra security features, and enables split tunneling. NordVPN will give you a 30-day, money-back guarantee.

Read our full NordVPN review.

2. Surfshark

works with Microsoft TeamsTested Apr 2024

Surfshark is a budget premium VPN that proved to be the fifth-fastest VPN in our recent tests. It is cheaper than other premium VPNs if you sign up for longer terms. Surfshark is a relatively new VPN, but it already has more than 3,200 servers in 95 countries. It works in China.

Surfshark calls its split tunneling feature “Bypasser.” It is currently available on its Windows and Android apps, but Surfshark says it is developing the feature for additional apps. Surfshark lets you whitelist or blacklist specific apps and websites.

Surfshark has a wealth of security and privacy features. It blocks ads and trackers and includes a browser plug-in that blocks cookie-notice pop-ups. Surfshark’s extra features include obfuscated servers, private DNS, and kill switches. The company maintains a strict no-logs policy.

Surfshark falls short of NordVPN in customer relations. Although it has earned an excellent rating in more than 15,000 user reviews on Trustpilot, 11 percent of users rate their experience as poor or bad.

Surfshark allows unlimited simultaneous connections. That’s great if you and your family have a lot of connected devices, but many simultaneous connections will strain your bandwidth while you’re using Microsoft Teams.

BUDGET PICK:Surfshark gives you a tremendous amount of features and benefits for a low price. It offers everything you need to use with Microsoft Teams with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Surfshark review.

3. ExpressVPN

works with Microsoft TeamsTested Apr 2024

ExpressVPN is the third fastest VPN, according to our recent tests. It is a premium VPN service with a premium price. ExpressVPN has servers in almost 100 countries, which makes it ideal for Microsoft Teams video conferences among people in multiple countries. ExpressVPN is very good at unblocking and can be used in VPN-blocking countries like China.

ExpressVPN lets you whitelist applications that are allowed to bypass the VPN or blacklist applications that can’t use it. ExpressVPN has more split tunneling capabilities than most VPNs, as it can be used in Windows, Mac, and Android operating systems, as well as with routers. Notably, however, ExpressVPN’s feature does not yet work on the latest MacOS (Big Sur) at time of writing.

ExpressVPN blocks trackers and uses its own encrypted DNS on every server. It does not keep activity or connection logs. Overall security capabilities are outstanding.

ExpressVPN has an “excellent” rating from Trustpilot with more than 11,000 user reviews. It was very responsive to support queries in our tests.

BEST FOR INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCING:ExpressVPN excels in speed,  security, features, and customer service. It has servers near most of the world’s population.

Read our full ExpressVPN review.

4. CyberGhost

works with Microsoft TeamsTested Apr 2024

CyberGhost earns a high spot on this list because it is the fastest VPN we’ve tested. CyberGhost has almost 9,000 servers in about 90 countries. Those factors arguably make it the best VPN to use with Microsoft Teams. However, CyberGhost’s split tunneling capabilities are limited, which makes it a poor choice for bypassing Microsoft Teams. Also, service in China is limited.

CyberGhost only enables split tunneling in its Android app. It lets you whitelist applications to bypass the VPN.

CyberGhost’s privacy and security capabilities are solid. Because of its speed and unblocking ability, CyberGhost works very well with media-streaming services.

CyberGhost’s user reviews on Trustpilot are extremely favorable with an average weighted rating of 4.7/5. Only three percent of users say CyberGhost has bad service. CyberGhost’s apps are very simple to use. Any concerns you have about its parent company are justified, but recent user reviews indicate that CyberGhost is as good as ever.

BEGINNER-FRIENDLY:CyberGhost’s exceptional speed makes its service ideal for video meetings through Microsoft Teams, if you are connecting directly. Customer satisfaction is very high.

Read our full CyberGhost review.

5. Private Internet Access

works with Microsoft TeamsTested Apr 2024

Private Internet Access is among the 10 fastest VPNs, but considerably slower than the fastest ones. It has more split tunneling capabilities than any of its competitors. Split tunneling is available on its apps for Windows, Mac, Android, and Linux. You can choose which applications or websites bypass the VPN tunnel. The tools are easy to use. PIA lets you simultaneously connect 10 devices.

PIA lists servers in about 80 countries, but many are virtual servers, which means you may not have one as close to you as the list suggests. It does have more than 29,000 servers.

The American VPN uses open-source software in its apps. Security features are impressive, including ad and malware blocking, kill switches, cloaking technology, and private DNS. Privacy features include no usage logs and anonymous payments.

Unblocking is not one of PIA’s strengths. PIA doesn’t work consistently in China and it is less successful at overcoming blocks from streaming media sites than the best of its competitors.

Although PIA has an “excellent” rating in user reviews on Trustpilot, 13 percent of users rate their experience as poor or bad. Difficulty canceling service seems to be a common complaint.

BEST FOR LINUX USERS:Private Internet Access is the only highly rated VPN to enable split tunneling in its Linux app, and its Mac support is also unusual. If you own a variety of devices with different operating systems, PIA is a great choice to use with Microsoft Teams.

Read our full Private Internet Access review.

6. Hotspot Shield

works with Microsoft TeamsTested Apr 2024

Hotspot Shield calls its split tunneling feature “Smart VPN.” The feature is available in its Windows and Android apps. Hotspot Shield lets you whitelist specific apps (but you want to blacklist Microsoft Teams).

Hotspot Shield has more than 3,200 servers in more than 70 countries. Its VPN product is unique in that it includes 1Password, a highly regarded password manager; and a spam-call blocker. Hotspot Shield’s prices are ordinary, but if you do or will use the bundled services, it’s a very good deal.

Hotspot Shield is one of the faster VPNs, but just missed our top ten. It does not work reliably in China.

Hotspot Shield will give you a 45-day money-back guarantee to try its services, which reflects a high level of confidence that you will be satisfied. Hotspot Shield’s 4.8/5 ranking on Trustpilot confirms a very high satisfaction level.

Security and privacy capabilities are solid. Other than protection against malware, it doesn’t offer as many extra security features as its top competitors. You can connect up to 10 devices at once.

In our tests, Hotspot Shield proved to be very good at unblocking location-limited streaming media. It allowed flawless streaming of high-resolution video, which means Microsoft Teams would not pose a challenge.

EXTRA FEATURES:If you’re already paying $3/month for 1Password or an unsatisfactory password manager, Hotspot Shield is practically free.

Read our full Hotspot Shield review.

7. ProtonVPN

works with Microsoft TeamsTested Apr 2024

ProtonVPN is one of the 10 fastest VPNs, but the fastest ones are much faster. It is fast enough to use with Microsoft Teams, and it performed well in our streaming tests. However, it doesn’t work in China.

It is highly respected for its privacy and security. Proton Unlimited includes ProtonVPN, the commercial version of Proton Mail, Calendar, and Drive; which is 500 GB of online storage.

ProtonVPN enables split tunneling on its Windows and Android apps. ProtonVPN lets you whitelist or blacklist specific apps and websites.

ProtonVPN has more than 1,700 servers in more than 60 countries. That’s adequate, but smaller than its top rivals.

As you would expect, privacy and security are ProtonVPN’s best assets. A feature called NetShield blocks ads, malware, and trackers. It has kill switches in its desktop apps, private DNS, and cloaking technology. ProtonVPN keeps no logs.

ProtonVPN’s customer service is very disappointing. It has no live chat, and email and ticket responses can take days. The 2.4/5 rating (“poor”) on Trustpilot reflects that and a variety of other issues.

EXTENSIVE MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE:ProtonVPN is satisfactorily safe and secure VPN for Microsoft Teams.

Read our full ProtonVPN review.

Our VPN testing methodology

We have a range of criteria for finding our top-pick VPNs. Some of the areas we research are listed below:

• The fastest possible speeds. Live video conferencing is demanding, so VPN speed is essential.
• Split tunneling capability in the VPN’s apps. The feature is most important for the VPN’s Windows app, as that is the most common way to use Microsoft Teams. The feature would ideally also be available in MacOS, Android, and iOS apps; although Apple’s operating systems make implementing it extremely difficult.
• Split tunneling for applications (e.g. Microsoft Teams). Some VPNs only enable split tunneling for websites or IP addresses.
• Reliable connections. Some VPNs cannot be counted on to maintain connection for a two-hour meeting.
• A wide selection of server locations. A nearby server is helpful for speed and reliability.
• Fast, responsive customer support.
• Accessibility from China. Citizens and visitors in China must use a VPN to access Microsoft Teams.

Security and privacy features are always important, because you will use your VPN for other purposes as well as for Microsoft Teams. However, Microsoft Teams has great security features, including encryption of all traffic. That is why your security is not jeopardized if you bypass your VPN to use it.

The full details of our testing and analysis are explained on our VPN testing methodology page.

Why Microsoft doesn’t want you to use a VPN to access Teams

Microsoft cites two reasons:

1. Performance
2. The security provided by a VPN is redundant.

Microsoft explains, “We recommend that you provide an alternate path for Teams traffic that bypasses the virtual private network (VPN), commonly known as split tunnel VPN. Split tunneling means that traffic for Microsoft 365 or Office 365 doesn’t go through the VPN but instead goes directly to Microsoft 365 or Office 365. Bypassing your VPN will have a positive impact on Teams quality, and it reduces load from the VPN devices and the organization’s network.”

The performance argument is valid as a generalization, but we are recommending VPNs that are fast enough to have minimal effect on performance. A free VPN or other slow VPN could make Teams impossible or unbearable to use.

Also, Microsoft is concerned about the load on corporate VPNs. We are discussing personal-use VPNs with thousands of servers.

We’ve all experienced frustrations with Microsoft Teams and Zoom. People forgetting to unmute themselves isn’t the only one. Video can be choppy or drop out. Audio can be garbled. Many technical factors can contribute to these problems. Sometimes people are too far away from their webcams or microphones.

However, the biggest causes of problems with video conferencing are webcam quality and internet speed. Webcams with low frame-rates, like the crummy ones built into most laptops, are not very good for this purpose. Live video streaming is a bandwidth hog. Slow internet connections are challenged by streaming. Connections may be slow because of congestion, ISP bandwidth throttling, an overtaxed server, or because a user is only paying for a slow connection.

Those factors are beyond Microsoft’s control. Microsoft is trying to protect the image of its product. You can try using Microsoft Teams with and without a good VPN and form your own opinion. The amusing irony is that Microsoft uses a mixture of split-tunneling and VPN connections for its own employees. You can find a more technical explanation on Microsoft’s blog.

Microsoft Teams and split tunneling FAQs