The best VPN service in 2019

Welcome to Creative Bloq's guide to the best VPN in 2019. There are a lot of different services on the market, so to help you pick the right one we've ranked the best VPNs in 2019 right here. These are the companies that offer the most secure, reliable and user-friendly services.

Figuring out the best VPN service for your needs can be tricky, but it's well worth the effort. Here, we'll also guide you through what you should be looking out for in a VPN and where the best VPN deals are.

01. ExpressVPN

Impressive speed and support make this the best VPN in 2019
Number of servers: 3,000+ | Server locations: 160 | Maximum devices supported: 3

ExpressVPN is the best VPN service right now, thanks to impressive speed, enterprise-standard encryption, and top-notch customer service. ExpressVPN boasts perhaps the widest platform support you'll find from any VPN service. Alongside the native apps for Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android and BlackBerry (!), ExpressVPN offers custom firmware for some routers, and a MediaStreamer option for consoles and smart TVs including PlayStation, Xbox and Apple TV. Finally, there are very capable VPN browser extensions for Firefox, Safari, and Chrome.

There's a simple click-to-start option if you're in a rush to get going, with the opportunity to edit settings to your own preferences later on.

02. NordVPN

Great value long-term subscription options
Number of servers: 5,300+ | Server locations: 60+ | Maximum devices supported: 6

In all the areas that count, NordVPN beats or matches what's offered by the competition, which is why it has snagged the second spot in our ranking of the best VPN services. The service has over 5,300 servers in over 60 countries, offers 2048-bit encryption, secure DNS leak protection, and app-specific and system-wide kill switches. It supports up to six devices simultaneously and there are proxy extensions for Chrome and Firefox.

NordVPN's SmartPlay feature is useful for getting around geo-restrictions and can be used to unblock a whole host of streaming services. NordVPN offers four different subscription choices: a monthly plan or one, two or three-year plans (the final of which is really excellent value). There's also a 30-day moneyback guarantee.

03. IPVanish

This VPN service is a great choice for P2P and torrenting
Number of servers: 1,200+ | Server locations: 60+ | Maximum devices supported: 10

Our next entry is IPVanish. This VPN owns and manages its own servers, of which there are over 1,200 in more than 60 countries; and has a strict zero-logs policy to preserve your privacy. IPVanish also enables up to 10 simultaneous connections per user, which is above what any of its strong competitors offer (the VPNs towards the bottom of this list match or improve on this, but there are other downsides to consider).

In our tests, IPVanish performed well. The servers connected quickly and were always up, download speeds were above average, torrents are supported on all servers, and we were able to unblock BBC iPlayer and US Netflix.

Where IPVanish really shines is with its apps. There are dedicated apps for Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, Android, Fire TV, Windows Phone and Chromebook. Unlike competitors' efforts, these are powerful and configurable, with plenty of different features and settings to explore.

04. HotSpot Shield

Speedy and great value, with a few downsides
Number of servers: 2,500+ | Server locations: 25 | Maximum devices supported: 5

Hotspot Shield offers a couple of VPN services: free and a paid Premium version. What you're paying for is full access to over 2500 servers in 25 countries, use on up to five devices, unlimited bandwidth, no ads, and 24/7 support. The free option is pretty good, but it's worth shelling out the (very reasonable) price for Premium. When we took it for a spin, we experienced impressively quick upload and download speeds when transferring big image files, even from the most distant locations.

Hotspot Shield Premium's high speeds and low prices have clear appeal, and the seven-day trial makes it easy to test the service for yourself. As you'd expect, the best value for money is the one-year subscription, unless you want to commit to the lifetime plan.

05. CyberGhost

A powerful, easy to use VPN with lots of configuration options
Number of servers: 3,700+ | Server locations: 60+ | Maximum devices supported: 7

CyberGhost is the best VPN for you if you're looking for a service you can configure to your liking, but has a helpful interface and avoids jargon.

There are apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android, the service allows torrents and there's live chat support if you need it. Extras include the ability to block ads, trackers and malicious websites, and automated HTTPS redirection helps keep browsing as secure as possible.

The interface is organized according to the task you're trying to complete. The main window offers six options: Surf Anonymously, Unblock Streaming, Protect Network, Torrent Anonymously, Unblock Basic Websites and Choose My Server. There are helpful touches, too. For example, you can choose a geo-blocked service (Netflix, iPlayer, etc.) from a list, and the app will automatically connect you to the best server and open a new window at the target site.