In this article, I’m taking a look at Virtual Private Network (VPN) services to use with TalkTalk.
If you’ve got a TalkTalk subscription in the UK and you’re looking for a VPN service, it can feel like a lengthy and challenging process.
Over the past few months I’ve been testing many different VPNs to see which worked best with TalkTalk. Previously on a 60Mbps connection but in the past few weeks on their Future Fibre 500Mbps package.
I tested speed, quality of service and reliability when using with TalkTalk’s broadband connection and a TalkTalk router / Amazon Eero and delved deep into the individual options on offer from each provider.
Below are my recommendations. If you’ve got TalkTalk then keep reading to discover which is the best for you.
In a rush?
After testing a range of VPN providers with Talktalk, we found ExpressVPN to be the best.
Table of Contents
1. ExpressVPN
If you’re looking for the very best service for use with TalkTalk, then ExpressVPN is the perfect place to start.
ExpressVPN offers one of the biggest VPN networks in the world with servers in 94 different countries and 145 different cities making it ideal for unblocking geo-restricted websites and hiding your IP Address from your ISP.
Being based in the British Virgin Islands means privacy protections are rock solid and ExpressVPN is also great for unblocking streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime and more.
The VPN client offered is user-friendly and easy-to-use, available on multiple devices including VPN-enabled routers (all with a simple setup), and comes with a great range of features including military grade 256-bit AES encryption as standard.
Throw in a 30-day money-back guarantee, great 24/7 customer support, and more, and ExpressVPN is hand downs the best VPN for TalkTalk customers.
#1 Recommended VPN for TalkTalk
30-day money back guarantee
2. IPVanish
If you’re looking for a reliable service that works well with TalkTalk, IPVanish should be on your list of considerations.
After extensive testing, I found them to offer fast and reliable speeds across their sizable server network consisting of 2,000+ servers in more than 75 countries, which includes 4 locations across the UK.
IPVanish customers get access to apps on all Windows and Mac desktop and Android and iOS mobile devices, including VPN-enabled routers, dependable security and privacy provisions, and the ability to connected an unlimited number of devices simultaneously.
IPVanish is not the best for streaming but if you want a reliable and affordable VPN to keep your private data out of the hands of your ISP, you won’t go far wrong with IPVanish.
3. VyprVPN
VyprVPN is a long-established VPN that works well with TalkTalk and offers apps and software are some of the simplest I’ve come across.
VyprVPN customers get access to a great range of apps, all simple to set up, and perfect to use with a VPN router. You also get access to more than 700 server choices across multiple locations in the UK and beyond.
It has robust encryption, an independently audited no-user logs guarantee, and everything you need to keep your data safe from your ISP and other prying eyes.
There is no longer a 3-day free trial but they do have a 30-day long money back guarantee which is useful for risk-free trying.
4. NordVPN
NordVPN is an excellent cost-effective VPN and great when going on the internet with TalkTalk.
They’ve got easy to setup apps for all major devices including a wide range of VPN-enabled router models. These are easy-to-use, well designed, and packed with features and comes with a huge server network.
A NordVPN user gets robust 256-bit AES encryption, independently verified privacy protections and access to much more including an ad-blocking feature and their own range of internet security software.
This VPN is brilliant for unblocking streaming services, for torrenting, for keeping your data private, and much more.
The price is highly competitive, especially if you sign up for their two-year deal and you get the 30-day industry standard money-back guarantee too.
5. CyberGhost VPN
CyberGhost is another excellent choice, especially for VPN newcomers thanks to its extensive range of apps that are easy to setup.
Its server network consists of more than 7,000 servers in 91 different countries. As such, it is more than capable of unblocking pretty much anything in the UK.
It features 694 servers in the United Kingdom alone making CyberGhost VPN an ideal VPN provider for TalkTalk users.
With such coverage, CyberGhost is more than capable of unblocking most if not all UK TV services. It also has military-grade encryption, robust and trustworthy privacy protections, and more.
I’m not a huge fan of the layout of their apps but it’s only a minor negative.
There is a huge money-back guarantee lasting 45 days, a host of bonus features, and a customer service provision that’s available 24/7 too.
6. Surfshark
Surfshark is a young yet impressive VPN with more than 3,200 servers in 95 different countries, making it perfect for use with an ISP like TalkTalk and also for unblocking streaming services like BBC iPlayer and Netflix as well as other geo-blocked content around the world.
It has robust security, although it does collect a little more metadata than we would like. But there are lots of bonus features, unlimited simultaneous connections, and you get a money-back guarantee that runs for 30-days.
It’s also registered in the EU which might be a consideration for you depending on your usage.
Throw in some low, low prices and Surfshark is a real contender on this list.
7. StrongVPN
StrongVPN has a modest VPN server network with just 950 servers in 30 countries. But that includes 5 different locations in the UK with a good geographic spread which will boost their already impressive speeds.
In addition, you get impressive apps for multiple devices, robust security and privacy protections, and up to 12 simultaneous connection, more than enough for almost all users.
There is a StrongDNS service which makes streaming faster and easier, a money back guarantee for the industry-standard 30 days and an annual price plan at a very competitive rate. Another real contender.
How to choose a VPN for use with TalkTalk
The above seven choices are the best VPNs to use with your TalkTalk service.
After extensive testing of all the major VPN services, these were the standouts. If you want to do a bit of research on your own, these are the features you should be on the lookout for:
Protects you from invasive privacy regulations
The UK has, in recent years, become a big brother state.
Thanks to the Investigatory Powers Act, everything you do, view and say on the internet is monitored and can be logged by all UK-based internet service providers like. TalkTalk.
Using one of the VPN services above will allow you to keep your online usage both secure and private.
Access blocked websites
A number of websites in the UK are now blocked ranging from torrent sites to overseas streaming services.
When you use a VPN, you can redirect your TalkTalk internet connection via another country and access websites, videos and more than are blocked in the UK.
Stream overseas TV
If you like to watch overseas TV such as US dramas, Nordic thrillers or any other type of TV from outside the UK then a VPN can let you access overseas TV services.
If you visit an overseas website such as Netflix US from the UK directly on your TalkTalk internet connection, you’re blocked from viewing.
By using a secure VPN and connecting to the country you can unlock and enjoy. It also works for watching British streaming services like BBC iPlayer too.
Can I install a VPN on the TalkTalk Wi-Fi Hub?
Unfortunately, no.
The TalkTalk Wi-Fi Hub or Amazon Eero will not allow you to do this, so you will be limited to only using a VPN on each individual device. This is fine but can be inconvenient if you want to protect multiple devices without connecting them all individually.
However, there is another option, which would be to use an Invizbox 2 router.
This is a small VPN router that can be used to hook up to the TalkTalk Wi-Fi Hub or Eero. Think of it as a small addition to the primary device, that will protect all your browsing with ease.
On top of that, it offers speed, protection, and privacy for everyone, as it encrypts any devices connected to it. With this router, you will not have to use a VPN on individual devices, at least not while you are browsing from home.
Some of its features include:
- Fast download speeds.
- Kill switch.
- Multiple location VPN hotspots.
- The ability to block ads.
- Parental control.
- The ability to unblock geo-restricted content.
We took a look at the device recently so check out our Invizbox 2 review for more details.
Why won’t my VPN on connect on TalkTalk?
There could be several reasons why you are having this kind of trouble.
The easiest and most likely solution is to disable ‘Kid Safe‘ or perhaps ‘Home Safe.’ These are two services to protect children from harmful web content, but if you don’t need these, they could be interfering with your VPN connection.
You can disable these by following these steps:
- Search for the TalkTalk website and log into My Account with your username and password.
- Click on My Services, which you can find located on the menu bar.
- Next, click on View HomeSafe settings.
- Once you enter, you will see a list of settings that are turned on or off by default.
- Choose what you wish to turn off.
- To turn off Kids Safe, you will also see a prompt that will ask you to confirm the decision.
- Simply confirm by clicking on the blue button (Turn KidSafe Off) and wait for a few minutes for the changes to take effect.
You should then try to connect with your VPN again.
Why you need a VPN in the first place
One reason why its a good idea to use a VPN is throttling.
Throttling is when your internet provider deliberately restrictions your connection speeds when using certain services.
They do this if they catch you carrying out tasks that use a lot of bandwidth. These usually include things like downloading or streaming.
Most would never admit to doing it, but we know for a fact that Talktalk has definitely used throttling in the past.
Back in 2014, TalkTalk was found to be throttling speeds to an image-sharing website.
VPNs are also recommended by almost all online security as an essential part of your online privacy and security toolkit to enable you to access the internet safely.
Can TalkTalk see what I’m doing?
About ten years ago, TalkTalk was caught monitoring users’ activities, which caused a major uproar. However, the company made a statement that said that this was for development purposes and that it doesn’t aim to violate anyone’s privacy.
Since then, it is believed that the firm has stopped doing it, especially now, when privacy laws are getting stricter by the year.
However, UK laws may require ISPs like TalkTalk to retain a record of every website you’ve visited in the past 12 months.
By using a VPN they wouldn’t be able to do this as the websites you are visiting are hidden.
Summary
After testing, our recommended best VPN for TalkTalk is ExpressVPN.
It works wonders with my TalkTalk home Faster Fibre + Speedboost package and offers all the online security and privacy protections you need. It can even be used with a TalkTalk router when combined with another VPN router such as the Invizbox 2 as well.
If you’ve got time, it’s worth visiting a few of the recommended services to compare their features directly. If you don’t have time you can’t go wrong with ExpressVPN and if you do, there’s a massive 30-days to get your money back.
Which VPN services did you end up getting and how did you find it? I would love to know so pop a comment below and let me know.
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