Why you need a VPN in 2026: The best VPN service for this year

What is a VPN?

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a piece of software designed to protect and anonymise everything you do online.

VPNs conceal online activities and data by routing internet traffic via an encrypted tunnel that connects to secure servers worldwide. Leveraging military-grade encryption, even your broadband supplier won't be able to decipher the websites that you're visiting, the amount of time you've spent on each one, and the frequency that you visit certain webpages — data that can be immeasurably valuable to advertisers.

This essential software also lets you alter your IP address, making it appear as if you're in a different location. This lets you check the pricing for certain items or services advertised to people in other countries (handy for flights), unlock bigger catalogues of shows and films on streaming services (Netflix in the US boasts shows unavailable to stream when logging into the app in the UK), and access banned services (WhatsApp while visiting China).

Lastly, sensitive personal information entered into online forms and sensitive data transmitted to and from your device will be safeguarded from hackers using strong encryption provided by a VPN.

Why you should buy a VPN in 2026

A VPN is an invaluable tool for privacy and security, but it's also important to ensure that you have access to a free and unlocked internet. Ever since the Online Safety Act was introduced last year, many sites and services require age verification to access, or some have been blocked altogether.

Internet Service Providers (ISPs), advertisers, and data brokers are also constantly tracking your online activity to build detailed profiles of your habits, which can then be sold.

A VPN encrypts your traffic and masks your IP address, making your online movements much harder to trace back to your identity, thereby giving you more control over your personal information.

For those who regularly work on public WiFi, networks in places like cafes, airports, and hotels are vulnerable to hackers who can intercept your data. A VPN encrypts all data sent over these networks, making it unreadable to anyone else, even if they manage to intercept the connection.

That’s not all. Brits might find that their pounds don’t stretch as far as they would like this year. A VPN can change your virtual location, allowing you to pick up cheaper subscriptions, flights and products.

A VPN can also be extremely helpful if you’re planning a holiday in 2026. Many streaming services like BBC iPlayer can lock you out of the app, meaning you won’t be able to tune in or catch up to your favourite shows. However, a VPN can allow you to mask your IP and connect to a UK server, allowing unfettered access to all the streaming services and channels you would want.

Which VPN should you buy?

Learning about why you need a VPN is all well and good – but what one should you actually get?

We've named ExpressVPN as one of the best VPNs around today. And it's not just us.

This popular VPN has a shelf heaving with gongs from the likes of Techradar, CNET, and Tom's Guide, with praise for its servers dedicated to fast, reliable streaming from anywhere in the world.

Monthly prices start from £1.99 a month, and unlock access to ExpressVPN across up to 10x devices. Once installed, ExpressVPN subscribers can connect to network of over 3,000 servers spread across 105 countries.

The service uses proprietary Lightway protocol for enhanced speed and reliability, ensuring smooth streaming of festival performances. The service works across all your devices – Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Smart TVs, and streaming devices like Fire TV Stick. You can even use ExpressVPN's MediaStreamer feature to watch on devices that don't normally support VPNs, such as PlayStation or Xbox.

• How to install ExpressVPN on Mac
• How to install ExpressVPN on Windows 10
• How to install ExpressVPN on Windows 11
• How to install a VPN on your router

Subscribe to ExpressVPN, and you'll have a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can recover your initial investment if you're not satisfied with any aspect of the service.

VPNs are not illegal and are often mandated by companies to improve online security for employees. However, it's your responsibility to ensure that you're using these popular apps for legal use.

Always check the terms and conditions of the streaming service.

Benefits of ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is particularly well-suited for streaming as it boasts VPN server locations in 105 countries, providing access to global coverage. It offers ultra-fast speeds on a 10-Gbps network, essential for high-quality streaming without buffering. With military-grade encryption, a strict no-logs policy, and features like split tunnelling and a kill switch, your online activity stays private.

Based in the British Virgin Islands — outside Five Eyes jurisdiction — it avoids mandatory data retention laws, which means that even if the company were collecting data (it's not), law enforcement from the UK and US would be unable to compel ExpressVPN to hand over any information about its subscribers.

ExpressVPN supports a wide range of devices, including smartphones, tablets, laptops, smart TVs, and routers. There's no limit on the number of ExpressVPN apps that you can download on your devices, and with a single subscription, you can connect to the VPN on 10x gadgets at once.

It also has a dedicated team that optimises the service for major streaming platforms. Round-the-clock customer support is available if you encounter any issues during race weekend.

ExpressVPN isn't the cheapest VPN. However, its 30-day money-back guarantee makes it a risk-free choice for privacy-conscious users and frequent streamers. It should also give new customers the confidence to subscribe to one of its longer contracts, which unlock the biggest discounts.