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
Surfshark – Best Cheap VPN for UK Users
ExpressVPN – Best VPN in the UK for Security
PureVPN – Best VPN UK for Unblocking Geo-Restrictions
CyberGhost – Best UK VPN Service for Streaming
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 |
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
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 |
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
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 |
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
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 |
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
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 |
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
Proton VPN – Best Free UK 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 |
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
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
References
- From Content Blocking to National Shutdowns: Understanding Internet Disruptions (Internet Society)
- How do hidden web trackers put my privacy at risk? (Spread Privacy)
- What is bit encryption, and how does it work? (ClickSSL)
- From Content Blocking to National Shutdowns: Understanding Internet Disruptions (Internet Society)
- Audit report on our privacy policy (2023) (ExpressVPN)
- Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (Legislation.gov.uk)
- NordVPN verifies its no-logs claim for the fourth time (NordVPN)
- Surfshark’s no-logs statement gets verified by Deloitte (Surfshark)