A VPN or virtual private network will help you stay safe and secure online while above all keeping your private stuff private.
Downloading a VPN in 2019 for your computer or mobile is a no-brainer. As well as the usual functions of helping you use the internet securely and getting around locked down websites and services, the best VPN providers will also let you access the freshest films and shows in foreign Netflix catalogues - and much, much more.
Installing a VPN service - it's short for Virtual Private Network, by the way - is increasingly being used as a replacement for or in addition to traditional virus protection. That's thanks to their encryption and ability to let you use the web anonymously, which is very attractive indeed if you do your shopping and banking online. But VPNs' ability to open up a world of TV streaming, sport watching and torrenting makes them feel more and more invaluable on a modern Windows PC or Mac.
But not all software is created equal, and only the best VPN providers are able to combine speed, security and ease-of-use. The difficulty is that every service out there makes big claims in all of those categories - that's where this guide comes in.
TechRadar has tested and reviewed over 100 of the best (and worst!) providers to come up with a definitive top 10, together with key information and specs on each.
So whatever you're intending to use you new VPN service for, we'll give you confidence that you're installing the right one and avoiding any that could be potentially be downright dangerous.
What's the best VPN service?
The best VPN service right now is ExpressVPN. It's the best all-round option for speed, privacy and unblocking websites. A close number two is IPVanish which is another very reliable VPN that we like a lot - particularly the way it handles P2P and torrenting. And the third best VPN for 2019 is NordVPN, which boasts the admirable combination of fast speed and strong security. Read more about these VPN services and more below!
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ExpressVPN delivered outstanding performance in our speed tests and excellent customer support plus a 30 day money back guarantee.
ExpressVPN delivered outstanding performance in our speed tests and excellent customer support plus a 30 day money back guarantee.
ExpressVPN offers access to more than 2,000 servers in 148 locations across 94 countries, alongside maybe the widest platform support you'll find anywhere.
We're not just talking about native clients for Windows, Mac, Linux, plus iOS, Android and even BlackBerry. There's custom firmware for some routers, DNS content-unblocking for a host of streaming media devices and smart TVs, and surprisingly capable VPN browser extensions for anything which can run them.
All that functionality could sound intimidating to VPN newbies, but ExpressVPN does more than most to help. An excellent support website is stuffed with detailed guides and tutorials to get you up and running. And if you do have any trouble, 24/7 live chat support is on hand to answer your questions. It really works, too - we got a helpful response from a knowledgeable support agent within a couple of minutes of posting our question.
The good news continues elsewhere, with ExpressVPN delivering in almost every area. Bitcoin payments? Of course. P2P support? Yep. Netflix unblocking? Naturally. Industrial-strength encryption, kill switch, DNS leak protection, solid and reliable performance and a clear no-logging policy? You've got it.
Downsides? Not many to speak of. The ExpressVPN service supports just three simultaneous connections per user (the industry standard is around five), and it comes with a premium price tag. But if you want a speedy service, crammed with top-notch features, and with all the support you need to help you use them, ExpressVPN will be a great fit. While they don’t have a free trial, ExpressVPN has a no-questions-asked 30-day money back guarantee if you aren’t happy with the service.
You can tell that we really rate Express - it's the VPN we'd choose if we were getting one. And the good news is that TechRadar readers can get a little perk when they sign up, too. ExpressVPN has agreed to give readers three months extra free when they sign up for a year. Here are its plans and prices in full: