Best UK VPN for 2024

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Getting the best UK VPN is essential for protecting your online privacy and security. The passing of the Investigatory Powers Act, also called the Snoopers’ Charter, means that the government can routinely monitor your internet use – but having a VPN in place can help keep you safe.

And whether you want to watch UK content from abroad, hide your IP from hackers, or simply keep your browsing data private, having a VPN can make all the difference. I’ve reviewed and tested the best UK VPNs, taking into account their price, features, usability, and security to help you find the right one for you. Read on to learn more.

The Best VPN UK Tested By Our Experts

NordVPN – Best UK VPN for Speed

Starting from $3.09/month
24-Month Plan + 3 Months Free
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Surfshark – Best Cheap VPN for UK Users

Starting from $2.19/month
24-Month Plan + 3 Months Free
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ExpressVPN – Best VPN in the UK for Security

Starting from $6.67/month
12-Month Plan + 3 Months Free
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PureVPN – Best VPN UK for Unblocking Geo-Restrictions

Starting from $2.14/month
24-Month Plan + 4 Months Free
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CyberGhost – Best UK VPN Service for Streaming

Starting from $2.19/month
24-Month Plan + 4 Months Free
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Proton VPN – Best Free UK VPN

Starting from $3.59/month
Save $154 with 24-Month Plan
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NordVPN – Best UK VPN for Speed

Starting Price £2.69/month (two years)
Free Version/Trial 7-day Android trial
Key Features Meshnet, Double VPN, Onion Over VPN
Server Fleet 6,400+ in 110+ countries
UK VPN Servers 440+ in 4 locations
Simultaneous Connections 10
Compatibility Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS
Why We Picked It

NordVPN is the best UK VPN if you’re seeking blazing-fast speeds, stable connections, and enough local servers to ensure they’ll never be overcrowded.

Features

NordVPN offers numerous privacy and security features, including Double VPN, which lets you encrypt your internet traffic using two VPN servers rather than one – which makes you even more secure.

It also offers obfuscated servers in the UK, which hide your VPN usage from third parties, including your internet service provider and the government.

Our favourite NordVPN feature is its proprietary NordLynx protocol, which improves upon the WireGuard protocol by adding more security on top of impressive speeds.

With NordLynx, you can use NordVPN to download large files, stream shows and movies, and browse the internet without the connection slowdowns you’d face with other providers. With it’s cross-device support, meanwhile, it’s even among the best Linux VPNs.

UK Server Fleet

NordVPN boasts an impressive server fleet in the UK, with more than 440 servers spread across Edinburgh, London, Manchester, and Glasgow.

Pricing

NordVPN has three pricing tiers. The cheapest one costs £2.69/month with a two-year subscription. Opting for its Plus plan costs £3.49/month and adds virus protection and one of the best password managers for the UK, while its Ultimate plan costs £5.49/month and offers 1TB of encrypted storage and cyber insurance.

Who It’s Best For

NordVPN’s large UK server fleet and excellent connection speeds make it a great choice for UK users looking for an always-on solution. Of course, it’s also a great pick for international users looking for UK servers to access the iPlayer, UK Netflix, and other UK streaming services.

Pros

  • Highly secure, obfuscated servers
  • NordLynx protocol for cutting-edge speed and security
  • 440+ UK servers
  • One of the best Windows VPNs

Cons

  • No Linux GUI
  • No free plan
NordVPN
9.5
Review

Surfshark – Best Cheap VPN for UK Users

Starting Price £1.69/month
Free Version/Trial 7-day free trial
Key Features Ad Blocker, Email Masking, Private DNS
Server Fleet 3,200+ in 100+ countries
UK VPN Servers 212 in 4 locations
Simultaneous Connections Unlimited
Compatibility Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS
Why We Picked It

Surfshark offers some of the best VPN features available for the UK without breaking the bank. It also covers unlimited devices regardless of the plan you pick, making it an ideal option for families.

Features

Surfshark uses industry-leading AES-256-GCM encryption to ensure private internet access as you browse the web. There’s also a robust kill switch, which automatically stops your device’s internet connection if the VPN connection drops, preventing IP address leaks.

One of my favourite Surfshark features is Email Masking, which lets you register for new accounts online using an alias from Surfshark. This helps keep your primary email free of unwanted spam and protects you from phishing scams.

Surfshark’s ad-blocking features also performed better in our testing than most of its competitors.

UK Server Fleet

Surfshark has 212 RAM-only UK VPN servers spread across London, Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Manchester, and you can also select obfuscated servers.

Pricing

Surfshark’s entry-level plan unlocks all its VPN features for £1.69/month and includes email masking. With Surfshark One, which costs £2.19/month, you also get some of the best antivirus features, while its top-tier plan, Surfshark One+, adds data removal features that counter data brokering.

Who It’s Best For

Surfshark is the best VPN UK residents can find when it comes to budget options. It offers high-speed servers in the UK and worldwide and numerous privacy features at an impressively low price. Besides its attractive pricing, it also covers unlimited devices, making it a perfect choice for families.

Pros

  • Unlimited simultaneous connections
  • Competitive pricing
  • Powerful encryption
  • Email Masking feature and robust ad blocker

Cons

  • Inconsistent P2P performance
  • Smaller server network than some competitors
Surfshark
9.5
Review

ExpressVPN – Best VPN in the UK for Security

Starting Price £5.48/month
Free Version/Trial 7-day iOS, Android trial
Key Features RAM-Only Servers, Lightway protocol, Smart Location
Server Fleet 3,000+ in 105+ countries
UK VPN Servers 100+ in 5 locations
Simultaneous Connections 8
Compatibility Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS
Why We Picked It

ExpressVPN is the best VPN UK option for security, helping users protect their devices and identities while connecting to public Wi-Fi networks or browsing the web. It has an audited no-logs policy and uses RAM-only servers to delete all traces of your online activity.

Features

ExpressVPN offers beginner-friendly apps for all operating systems and has an audited no-logs policy, meaning it won’t store any of your information while you use its VPN servers. Additionally, all its servers run on volatile memory, or RAM, ensuring no residual information is retained on your online activity.

Unlike most competitors, it also offers perfect forward secrecy, which ensures that third parties can’t access your information or browsing history.

One of my other favourite features is Smart Location, which automatically connects you to the server offering the best performance for your location.

UK Server Fleet

ExpressVPN offers five UK VPN server locations, with over 100 servers, located in London, East London, Docklands, Wembley, and the Midlands.

Pricing

Unlike NordVPN and Surfshark, ExpressVPN has a single plan that includes all its VPN features. ExpressVPN costs £5.48/month with an annual subscription, and it has a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Who It’s Best For

ExpressVPN offers first-class security and a verified no-logs policy, ensuring your information and data traffic are invisible and inaccessible to third parties. At the same time, its interface is user-friendly, making it great for beginners.

Pros

  • RAM-only servers and audited no-logs policy
  • User-friendly interface
  • High-speed Lightway protocol
  • One of the best VPNs for iPhones

Cons

  • Relatively expensive
  • No free trial
ExpressVPN
9.2
Review

PureVPN – Best VPN UK for Unblocking Geo-Restrictions

Starting Price £1.66/month
Free Version/Trial 7-day trial
Key Features 20Gbps Servers, Split Tunnelling, Tracker Blocking
Server Fleet 6,000+ in 65+ countries
UK VPN Servers 600+ in 3 locations
Simultaneous Connections 10
Compatibility Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS
Why We Picked It

PureVPN is the best VPN for unblocking UK and international content, including popular streaming platforms like Netflix, HBO Max, and Sky Sports. It also has a future-proof network of 20Gbps servers, allowing you to stream US and UK content lag-free.

Features

PureVPN allows you to prioritize your VPN connection with its Split Tunnelling feature. This lets you choose which programs get encrypted and which don’t. For example, you could secure your Netflix app to access UK content but leave other apps unencrypted to access regional services, such as online banking.

In addition, PureVPN prevents bandwidth throttling by your ISP. That means you won’t experience lag or buffering problems while streaming UK content as you travel or watch international content.

It also has a great set of apps that qualify it as one of the best mobile VPNs around.

UK Server Fleet

PureVPN has over 600 UK VPN servers, located in London, Maidenhead, and Manchester. These servers can unlock all popular UK streaming platforms for shows, movies, and sports, including the UK Netflix library, BBC iPlayer, and Sky Sports.

Pricing

PureVPN’s cheapest plan is priced at £1.66/month with a two-year subscription. The VPN UK provider offers subscriptions running from one month to five years and higher-tier plans add a password manager, a file encryption tool, and identity protection features.

Who It’s Best For

PureVPN unlocks streaming platforms in the UK and worldwide more effectively than many competitors, making it a top choice for streaming TV, sports, and movies. Besides offering affordable plans, it also lets you add a Dedicated IP and Port Forwarding at an affordable price.

Pros

  • Affordable plans and add-ons
  • Unblocks more streaming platforms than most providers
  • User-friendly split tunnelling feature
  • 600+ UK VPN servers
  • Among the best Android VPNs

Cons

  • VPN servers in fewer countries
  • Fewer features for smartphones
PureVPN
9.2
Review

CyberGhost – Best UK VPN Service for Streaming

Starting Price £1.92/month
Free Version/Trial 24-hour trial
Key Features Streaming-Optimized Servers, Content Blocker, Automatic Kill Switch
Server Fleet 11,700+ in 100 countries
UK VPN Servers 700+ in 3 locations
Simultaneous Connections 7
Compatibility Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS
Why We Picked It

CyberGhost offers the best streaming experience for UK residents and international users. It has a massive server network and streaming-optimized servers, so you can stream UK content from nearly every country in the world without lag or buffering issues.

Features

CyberGhost’s excellent Smart Rules feature lets you configure its Windows app to automatically connect to a server when you launch specific apps.

For example, you can set it to connect you to a London server whenever you launch Netflix, immediately giving you access to the UK Netflix library – or you could do the same for a New York server for US Netflix.

The VPN provider offers streaming-optimized servers with no bandwidth limits and 10Gbps speeds, allowing you to stream in 4K, buffer-free. With a reported 700+ servers in the UK, that guarantees stellar performance, regardless of where you connect from.

UK Server Fleet

CyberGhost VPN has more than 700 servers spread between London, Manchester, and Berkshire. In testing, we found it unblocked BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video UK.

Pricing

CyberGhost costs £1.92/month with a two-year subscription, making it one of the most affordable UK VPNs. There’s also a 24-hour free trial for Windows users and an impressive 45-day money-back guarantee.

Who It’s Best For

CyberGhost is ideal for streaming content and accessing UK channels while abroad. It’s also easy to use, allows you to automate VPN connections, and offers streaming-optimized servers to provide the best experience, regardless of your location.

Pros

  • Automated connection rules
  • Powerful ad-blocking capabilities
  • P2P connection support
  • One of the fastest VPN services

Cons

  • No double VPN
  • Browser extensions only for Chrome and Firefox
CyberGhostVPN
8.7
Review

Proton VPN – Best Free UK VPN

A logo of Proton VPN

Starting Price £2.80/month
Free Version/Trial Free plan
Key Features NetShield, Tor Over VPN, ChaCha20 Encryption
Server Fleet 6,300+ in 100 countries
UK VPN Servers 36 in 2 locations
Simultaneous Connections 10
Compatibility Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS
Why We Picked It

Proton VPN offers the best free VPN for Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac. It’s also the best VPN for Firestick TVs, as it’s easy to set up and use.

Features

Proton VPN is the best free VPN UK residents can use to encrypt their internet traffic without facing ads and with no bandwidth limit. You’ll need one of its premium plans to access its full server network and feature set and to use more than one device, though.

The premium plan adds NetShield, which blocks intrusive ads and third-party trackers on the internet, ensuring your digital footprint is obscured. It also uses a private DNS server network to prevent IPv6 and DNS leaks, ensuring your online anonymity.

UK Server Fleet

ProtonVPN offers 36 high-speed VPN servers in the UK, located in London and Manchester. However, there are no free servers in the UK, meaning you’ll need a premium subscription to access its UK servers.

Pricing

Proton VPN offers pricing in USD or Euros, and its entry-level plan costs $3.59/month with a two-year-long subscription, or £2.80/month, and it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Who It’s Best For

Proton VPN’s free plan is ideal for users who want to encrypt their internet traffic for free. Its lack of free UK VPN servers makes its paid options a better choice, though. That said, it’s one of the easiest VPNs to install and use on Smart TVs.

Pros

  • Excellent IPv6 and DNS leak protection
  • Robust ad blocking
  • Free forever plan
  • User-friendly setup for Smart TVs

Cons

  • Fewer UK VPN servers
  • Fewer customer support options
ProtonVPN
8.5
Review
Methodology

How We Review and Test VPN Services

20 VPNS TESTED

25 DATA POINTS MEASURED

300+ HOURS TESTING

500+ USER REVIEWS READ

To provide our readers with accurate and well informed recommendations, we tested 20 leading VPN services to find the best in the market. Our methodology consists of the following criteria:

  • Security Features: We made sure that the provider uses standard security features and a secure tunneling protocol.
  • Privacy Policies: We looked for VPNs that come with a no-logs policy, and verify the extend to which user privacy is upheld.
  • Speed: We run speed tests three times a day and draw an average of the result to see how much of the original broadband speed is retained.
  • Compatibility: We ensure the VPN provider offers multiple simultaneous connections and is compatible with the most popular operating systems.
  • Geo-unblocking: We test whether the VPN service can unlock different libraries (content available in different countries) on the most popular streaming platforms.
  • Customer Experience: When researching products and services, we read real user experiences and test out their customer support channels ourselves.
  • Price and Value for Money: We set out to recommend reasonably priced products that offer value for money.

Why Should I Use a VPN in UK?

Using a VPN in the UK offers invaluable several major benefits, particularly addressing privacy and security concerns.

The 2016 Investigatory Powers Act, aka the Snoopers’ Charter, allows extensive government surveillance, which includes collecting internet connection records. A VPN can protect your privacy by encrypting your internet traffic, masking your online activities, and making them unavailable to your ISP and the government.

A VPN also enhances your security while you’re on the move. Whether you’re a UK resident or a visitor to the country, connecting to public Wi-Fi networks leaves you exposed to hackers.

Encrypting your connection with a VPN prevents third parties from intercepting and accessing your information, including your passwords and financial details.

UK VPNs also allow you to access foreign content that would otherwise be inaccessible. VPNs allow you to assign a different IP address to your device and bypass geo-restrictions that prevent you from accessing foreign websites.

For example, if you’re a UK citizen in the US, you’ll need a VPN to watch UK content or use other region-specific services like the iPlayer, UK Netflix, Channel 4, and Sky Go.

See our guide to the best VPNs for travel for more recommendations.

Are VPNs Legal in the UK?

Yes – using VPNs is entirely legal in the UK. They’re designed to enhance the user’s privacy and security online, preventing malicious actors from finding your real location or tracking your personal details.

However, while using a VPN is legal in the UK, engaging in illegal activities is still against the law. Using a VPN to secure your devices while torrenting files is legal, for example, but it’s illegal to torrent copyrighted material, as copyright infringement is against the law in the UK.

Best Free UK VPN – Free vs Paid VPNs

Finding a free VPN for the UK isn’t easy, as no free VPN providers offer high-speed servers in the country. In addition, most free VPN providers offer limited features, don’t have audited privacy policies, or simply don’t work.

Proton VPN is the best free VPN UK residents can use, based on my testing. It has no data limits, offers high-speed VPN servers to free users and doesn’t have in-app ads.

That said, even Proton VPN’s free plan has its limits, such as the lack of a UK VPN server. However, like the other providers on our list, it offers exceptional VPN features and performance if you upgrade to its premium plan.

While most VPNs don’t have a free plan that’s suitable for the UK, many offer money-back guarantees and free trials you can use to test their features for free.

How to Choose the Best VPN for the UK

Choosing the best UK VPN requires a careful analysis of security and privacy-protecting features. Here are some key factors to consider before subscribing to a virtual private network provider:

PerformanceDevice SupportLoggingSecurityPricingServer Network

Performance – Encrypting your internet traffic will impact your connection, but the best UK VPNs won’t significantly reduce your connection speed. Look for providers with high-speed servers dedicated to streaming, gaming, and downloading, as they’ll provide better performance.

Device Support – Ensure your VPN provider offers apps for all your devices, including your computers and smartphones. The best VPN software will have a modern, intuitive interface that makes it easy to connect to a server and use its advanced features.

Logging – Opt for a VPN provider with a transparent privacy policy and strict no-logging rules – and, ideally, security audits to prove their claims. Avoid providers with a history of collecting or selling user data.

Security – The best UK VPN providers offer a kill switch, IPv6 and DNS leak protection, and other advanced features to protect your data. Avoid providers that don’t offer AES-256 encryption. It’s a military-grade technology, but it’s also a standard in the industry.

Pricing – Opt for a provider that suits your budget and a plan that provides the best value for money – keeping in mind that upgrading will often buy you far superior security. Providers like NordVPN offer extra security tools with their advanced plans, which makes them a bargain.

Server Network – Look for a provider that offers VPN servers where you need them. For example, if you’re from the UK and want to access UK content while abroad, you’ll need a provider with UK VPN servers.

How to Get a UK IP Address and Get Online with a UK VPN

Setting up a VPN takes just a few minutes with most providers. We’ve prepared a step-by-step guide here to show you exactly how to do it, and we’ll demonstrate how to install NordVPN and connect to a UK server on a Windows computer.

  1. Subscribe to NordVPN and Download the Windows Client

    Head to NordVPN and subscribe to a plan. The email address you provide during checkout will be used for your Nord account. Once you’ve subscribed, download the Windows client from the “Download VPN” drop-down menu on the homepage.

  2. Install NordVPN on Your Computer and Log In

    Launch the NordVPN installer and follow the on-screen instructions to install the software on your computer. Once installed, the app will ask you to log into your NordVPN account using the email you provided at checkout.

    <strong>Install NordVPN on Your Computer and Log In</strong>
  3. Connect to a UK Server

    With NordVPN set up and installed, you can get online. Use the map view or the left-side menu to find the UK in the list of countries and pick a server to connect to.

    You can also connect to a UK server by clicking on the UK flag in the quick connect menu. To activate advanced features like NordVPN’s kill switch, go to the “Settings” tab.

    <strong>Connect to a UK Server</strong>

 

What Are the Downsides of Using a VPN in UK?

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) have ample benefits that undoubtedly far outweigh any flaws. Nevertheless, it’s important to know the downsides before signing up. To start with, the VPN encryption process is known to cause slightly slower internet speeds.

In fact, a 10-20% drop in speeds is considered the average. However, your upload and download speeds depend on several factors, such as the distance between your physical location and the server, your router speed, and the VPNs server stability. Hence, when ranking services, Reddit’s best free VPN, based on community feedback, has to have minimal impact on connection speed.

Some VPNs don’t offer many servers, though, and that’s particularly true with free VPN accounts, which can also suffer from server congestion, impacting everyone’s speeds. If you are looking for the best free VPN, Reddit users will also warn you of services that may be harvesting your data – which will cost you a lot in the long run.

Another noteworthy drawback is that, depending on the location, using a VPN can potentially land you in trouble. For example, in Iraq and North Korea, VPNs are banned. That said, if you’re after the best VPN service for the UK, this won’t be a concern as there are no limitations on VPN use in the UK.

Finally, the cost can be a drawback. This is generally worth it for most people, though, considering the sheer value for money on offer. What’s more, there are options on the market that are sure to fit every need and budget, with some costing a little over a pound.

FAQs

What’s the best VPN in the UK?

Are VPNs legal in the UK?

What’s the best value VPN for the UK?

What limitations are there with UK VPNs?

What’s the best free VPN UK?

Will a UK VPN slow my connection?

Can UK police track a VPN?

Which VPN works best in the UK?

Ilijia Miljkovac
Technology Writer
Ilijia Miljkovac
Technology Writer

Ilijia Miljkovac is a Techopedia writer with seven years of experience covering all things tech. He writes about cybersecurity topics, spanning VPNs, antiviruses, and hosting, helping to inform B2B and B2C audiences about the latest products and services. He's written for publications such as Business2Community, TheTechReport, Comparitech, and more. When he's not working, Ilijia spends his time hiking in nature or holed up in his apartment gaming.

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