If you live or travel in the United Kingdom the need to use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is ever-increasing and in 2023 you should definitely be using a VPN most, if not all of the time.

In this guide, we’ll be showing you 10 of the leading secure VPN service providers for the job and pointing out some of the features that make them the best VPN for the UK.

The services listed in this guide are also suitable for accessing UK services if you’re overseas.

But with so many VPN services out there, which should you choose?

Answering that can end up costing you a lot in wasted sign-up fees and time. In this busy world of ours, the time you could better spend elsewhere.

We’ve tested a wide range of services for you and broken them down into just ten choices.

Our favourite Virtual Private Network for the UK currently is ExpressVPN, but as a savvy shopper, you’ll probably want to compare some other VPN provider options yourself. Although they are our favourites, you’re free to choose.

However, rather than wading through over 500 options, you’ll only need to compare these ten. So let’s delve in.

Top 10 UK VPNs

You can discover some of the features you should be considering when choosing a VPN further below in this guide. First, below are our top choices:

1. ExpressVPN
2. NordVPN
3. CyberGhost VPN
4. IPVanish
5. VyprVPN
6. Surfshark
7. ProtonVPN
8. VPN.ac
9. Private Internet Access
10. VPNCity

1. ExpressVPN

Through our extensive expert testing, we have concluded that ExpressVPN is the standout winner as the number one VPN for the UK.

They’ve got VPN server locations in 94 countries which includes lots of UK servers and also many other server location options in surrounding countries.

ExpressVPN’s VPN connection speeds are excellent. In our extensive VPN testing, their upload speeds and download speed far surpassed the speeds of almost all other providers.

We like how well ExpressVPN works with the UK’s video streaming services, and you’ll have no issues watching BBC iPlayer, Sky Go, ITV X or other services from across the UK. I’ve found it ideal for streaming in Asia where I live.

Plus they work well to access streaming services like Netflix (such as UK Netflix), Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and other overseas services.

Privacy and Security

ExpressVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands. Being based in the British Virgin Islands means that there are no data retention laws in place, which is great news for your privacy and guarantees that they will not store user data.

Countries such as the UK or the US have no jurisdiction in the British Virgin Islands, so they can’t request any user data from ExpressVPN.

Even if they did, ExpressVPN doesn’t keep any logs of their users. An independent audit has confirmed that ExpressVPN’s no-logs policy is robust and reliable.

They have a built-in kill switch and DNS leak protection (against DNS requests), cutting your internet instantly if you lose connection to your VPN server. These worked well in our tests.

ExpressVPN also has unlimited bandwidth, which is ideal for streaming 4K US Netflix content. And there are up to five simultaneous connections available for every subscriber.

It works well with any UK Internet Service Provider including Virgin, BT, TalkTalk and others. In our speed tests, we found them to be one of the fastest VPN services with top download speeds.

They also offer one of the largest ranges of user-friendly apps available for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, Amazon Fire TV devices and more. Plus the ability to have five simultaneous connections and there is even free cloud backup included.

ExpressVPN is the best UK VPN service if you are looking for a UK VPN, suitable for both beginners and advanced users.

Our #1 Recommended UK VPN

30-day money back guarantee

2. NordVPN

NordVPN offers one of the best UK VPNs we’ve seen with some of the best-designed apps on the market that work on every operating system and device type.

Multiple UK server locations are provided, and at the current count, they have a massive 440+ of them available. That’s a lot of UK servers on one VPN service.

There’s also an extensive range across Europe and further afield, so you’ve got plenty of options. In fact, there are over 5,000 servers available in total.

There’s a whole range of easy-to-use apps available for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick. They’re some of the easiest to use we’ve tested so if you’re a beginner or don’t want to delve into the technical side too much they’ll be right up your street.

British streaming services work well on NordVPN, and I can vouch for that personally. In fact, in our tests streaming video, they work more than most other providers for all the leading services such as BBC iPlayer, BT Sport, iFollow, Sky and others.

Just like ExpressVPN, NordVPN works well with Netflix (including US Netflix), Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and other online streaming services. If you want more information, their great customer service team will be able to help you.

Privacy and Security

NordVPN offers a terrific range of security features including a multihop VPN server option that allows you to change your IP address twice giving you double the privacy while connected to these servers.

This is something that I love about their VPN and which makes it one of the best VPN options for UK users.

NordVPN also has a built-in kill switch that will cut your internet connection instantaneously if you lose connection to your VPN server. This kill switch prevents your internet traffic from being leaked.

You can test the service risk-free with their 30-day money-back guarantee, and if you get stuck they provide top-notch customer support.

You also get up to six simultaneous connections and unlimited data. Even better, they have a great range of desktop and mobile apps meaning you can download NordVPN onto any device.

NordVPN is one of the best VPN providers for the UK, with a broad range of security features and bonus tools like anti-virus and cloud storage also available. And their price point won’t break the bank either.

3. CyberGhost VPN

CyberGhost VPN has been vastly improving their service in recent years, making them a great choice for use in the UK and one of the best VPNs full stop.

With their new and user-friendly apps, you can connect to a UK server and protect your online activities across your range of devices. We like that their mobile apps help you find the correct server for your needs which saves time and doesn’t leave you frustrated like some alternative services.

There are over 6,000 VPN connections dotted across the world with some 781 in the UK in London, Manchester and Berkshire making it simple to get a UK IP address.

We had no trouble with the leading UK streaming services such as BBC iPlayer, and when using the range of apps they even show you which server to join to unblock which specific British streaming services.

Unlike most VPN services, they can also unlock many Netflix libraries (such as the Netflix US), Hulu, Disney+, and Amazon allowing streaming video from most streaming sites.

There’s a huge 45-day money-back guarantee which is more than most. Plus you can use the service on up to 7 devices with simultaneous connections, although you’ll need to de-register some if you hit the limit which is a little uncommon and a bit unnecessary.

CyberGhost VPN also offers a wide range of bonus security features including a great kill switch, split tunneling, and even the option of a dedicated IP address.

An exceptional VPN for beginners (as my young daughter can vouch for) and experts with a great no logging policy and perfect for lag free streaming and even protecting cloud storage.

4. IPVanish

IPVanish is one of the most popular UK VPN services, and for use in Great Britain, they have a decent offering.

Currently, UK-based servers are available across 4 UK server locations which are more than most and include London, Manchester, Birmingham, and Glasgow. This means its easy to get a UK IP Address by connecting to one of these UK servers. Overall there are servers in 75+ countries.

The standout feature is the ability to have unlimited simultaneous connections. This means that you can set up a VPN connection on as many devices as you like and even let your friends and family use the service too. I got my whole family connected and they all loved it.

Speeds on the service are favourable, and we didn’t experience any issues with download speed or upload speeds when watching video, browsing websites or streaming other media to a range of devices. There is also unlimited bandwidth available too.

This coupled with their easy-to-use apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and a decent Amazon Fire TV Stick app makes IPVanish an all-around good service with just a few weaknesses, great for protecting your mobile device.

They also have excellent customer support which is a must-have for any VPN provider. But if you are looking for a best UK VPN solely for streaming, there are better options as IPVanish can unblock BBC iPlayer but is not perfect with many other premium streaming sites even when you are hooked up to a UK server.

But if you want to use a Virtual Private Network to protect your web traffic, then IPVanish is a great UK VPN choice. With an expanding number of servers, a secure encrypted connection is guaranteed. and a no logs privacy policy this VPN company is only going to get better.

5. VyprVPN

VyprVPN has been one of the most highly regarded VPN services for many years, and their commitment to offering a no-log policy has been proven by an audit has won them many fans – ourselves included.

For UK users, this makes them a great choice because you can use their VPN service without fear what you’re doing is being recorded. This allows you to browse the web privately.

Servers are available in the UK, and while they’re not quite the fastest, they are incredibly reliable. I used it for weeks and it never once dropped out.

There are also more than 100 VPN server locations available around the world which allows you to unblock multiple streaming sites. This includes multiple UK server options.

Watching content from the streaming service BBC iPlayer, and ITV won’t be a problem either with this fast and reliable VPN service.

A 30-day money-back guarantee is available which matches the competition and gives you an entire month to test it for a variety of purposes. They also allow you to establish 10 simultaneous connections which is more than all but the most avid internet user will need.

Their dedicated customer support is extremely useful and even have the addition of live chat customer support if you need to speak to a real person. This is a nice touch which we loved as not all VPNs have customer support capable of live chat.

Apps are available for all the most popular devices. The iOS app was particularly good in our tests. But sadly there’s no dedicated Amazon Fire TV app so if you’re a big streamer you’ll need to look elsewhere.

With an outstanding no logs policy, Vypr VPN is one of the best UK VPN services around.

What is a VPN?

A VPN is a service that you can use to keep yourself safe on the internet. This is usually offered in app form.

Once you have a VPN installed on your device, your VPN software will hide your traffic with security protocols (VPN Protocol). A VPN encrypts all your internet traffic making it unreadable. Using their server locations to protect your location and identity.

As such, they also allow you to bypass geo-restrictions and internet censorship, keep your data private from prying eyes and internet providers, and unblock all the content you could ever want.

When you sign up for a VPN, you will usually be able to protect up to five devices at a minimum (often more) which means you can keep all of your devices secure and private with a single subscription.

If you’re interested in learning more, we have a detailed guide on what VPNs are.

How to choose a VPN for Britain

Choosing a VPN for the UK has a few unique requirements because of regulations, monitoring, censorship and a whole host of other reasons.

Knowing the standout features specifically for the UK will help you better choose a VPN service so below we’ve listed four that you should be considering based on our own test results:

• Servers in and around the UK: For different purposes, you’ll require UK-based VPN servers plus a number of servers nearby to put you outside the UK in locations such as the Netherlands, Switzerland and Iceland.
• Unblocks UK streaming: To get the most out of your private connection you want to ensure that the VPN isn’t blocked by the leading UK streaming services such as BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Sky Go, BT Sport, iFollow and others. This will allow you to watch your favourite content while remaining secure.
• Works with UK ISPs (Internet Service Providers): While any good VPN should work with your UK Internet Service Provider, there have been incidences where a poor server connection can lead to slow speeds. Making sure the VPN works well with the likes of Virgin Media, BT, TalkTalk and Sky Broadband etc will give you the best experience.
• Money-back guarantee: Not much is guaranteed in the VPN world so choose a VPN that gives you at least a 30-day money-back guarantee. This will let you test the service for your specific uses to see how they perform risk-free. This is definitely something you should look out for. If your budget is really tight, ProtonVPN offers a very limited free version.

Which UK VPN is for you?

With more than 500 VPN services available to choose from, it’s hard to select just one UK VPN. If you want to choose one of the best VPNs it can feel even harder.

That’s why we’ve slimmed this list down to the top ten options based on our extensive testing. However, even with ten, you may still be a little undecided.

While all ten are excellent for use in the UK there may be one that is most suitable for your personal needs which is why we’ve broken it down into typical usage scenarios.

If you’re still confused, take a look at the usage scenarios below to pick the one that closest matches your needs.

If you want the best privacy protection, get ExpressVPN.

Their no-logs privacy policy has been tried and tested plus they’re registered off-shore (no mandatory data retention laws) so you can be safe in the knowledge that what you do while connected to their service remains nobody’s business but yours.

Your privacy is back in your own hands.

If you’re a complete beginner, choose NordVPN.

Their apps are well-designed and make connection effortless. Even if you’ve never used a VPN before you can simply make use of their one-click connection which will get you connected to the best server automatically.

If you want to access UK streaming services, choose ExpressVPN or NordVPN.

Both services work with the greatest number of the UK’s streaming websites and offer excellent connection speeds.

If you’re in the UK or overseas and you want to access BBC iPlayer and others then these two providers work with most of them. These two VPNs also work great streaming Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon.

If you want to test risk-free, opt for CyberGhost VPN.

They’ve got the most extended money-back guarantee of 45 days giving you plenty of time to check the service.

If you want help choosing the right server, take CyberGhost VPN.

Their vast range of helpful apps points you in the correct direction of where to connect for what purpose.

Why is a VPN for the UK necessary?

Using a VPN regardless of which country you’re in is essential these days for a range of reasons. The most obvious is the slow erosion of online privacy, but there are plenty of other pressing reasons having a VPN is good practice.

The UK has some very good causes why you should be making use of a UK VPN to protect your connection which include:

Is using a VPN illegal in the UK?

No, using a VPN is entirely legal in the UK.

There are no laws against protecting the privacy of your internet usage. Nor against using encryption which is how a VPN protects you.

Encryption is also how websites such as your bank manage to secure your connection.

VPN systems are used by hundreds of thousands of businesses daily and millions of individuals as a way of staying safe online.

So using any of the 10 VPNs mentioned above is perfectly legal and will help you stay protected.

Is there a free VPN to use?

We don’t recommend free Virtual Private Networks like Hotspot Shield for several reasons.

Most importantly, free VPNs are a security risk. There have been numerous reports about free VPN services selling access to your data or usage.

They sometimes give other users access to your IP address which can land you in trouble. Hotspot Shield is just one of the providers to have been embroiled in such controversy.

Free VPNs also have questionable ownership which can be in countries like China that have very few laws to protect the privacy of your data. This puts free users at risk as your identifiable user data can be shared with third parties.

There have even been reports of free VPNs that aren’t actually VPNs at all and are instead malware.

If you managed to find a reliable free VPN (which is incredibly tricky) then you would discover they’ve got slow internet speeds, poor connections, and don’t tend to work as you would expect. A free VPN will usually not offer a service anything like on the level of a premium service.

To add insult to injury, most free VPNs won’t work with major streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, or any other streaming services. We have tested multiple free VPNs on this and the results were universally negative.

Essentially, there is no such thing as a “best free VPN”.

Avoid the likes of Hotspot Shield, and if your budget cannot stretch to a couple of pounds a month needed to subscribe to one of the premium VPNs above, we recommend you take a look at the limited but reliable free version of Proton VPN.

If you absolutely need a free UK VPN, that’s the one to choose.

What is the leading VPN for UK TV?

To stay secure while watching TV services or accessing UK TV from abroad picking the correct VPN can be difficult.

Not all work with UK TV services and while some work with specific services, they often don’t work with them all.

Through our extensive testing, we’ve found both ExpressVPN and NordVPN to be the best options. They’ve been the most reliable for UK TV, have the best number of servers in the UK, and they unlock the greatest number of services such as BBC iPlayer.

They also work well with the streaming service Netflix and many other streaming platforms.

Either of them make good choices for watching UK TV.

In Summary: A quick round-up

Recap of Top 10 VPNs for the UK

In this guide, we have outlined ten excellent VPNs that offer everything that VPN users in the UK need. That list in full is:

1. ExpressVPN
2. NordVPN
3. CyberGhost VPN
4. IPVanish
5. VyprVPN
6. Surfshark
7. ProtonVPN
8. VPN.ac
9. Private Internet Access
10. VPNCity

Whichever of the VPNs you end up choosing you can’t go wrong because they’re ten of the most reliable VPN services for the UK this year.

All offer a great price and can deliver the security, privacy, and unblocking that you need. But there is one clear service that is the best of all these VPN providers for UK users.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a VPN

Choosing the best VPN in the UK for you will depend on exactly what you are going to use it for but some of the factors you should consider when making your choice include:

• Security provisions
• Privacy and the no logs policy
• Apps – are they available for the devices you use?
• Servers – are they located where you need them?
• Speeds – Can your VPN deliver what you need?
• Features – Does your VPN do everything you need of it?
• Price – Is your VPN available at price you can afford?

Our Top Pick for the Best VPN for UK.

The best VPN for the UK right now is ExpressVPN.

Why ExpressVPN? Frankly, because they are able to offer everything that a VPN user in the UK needs including:

• The perfect balance of privacy protections
• TV unblocking (think BBC iPlayer)
• An excellent range of apps that are easy to use
• An extensive range of server locations across the UK and plenty of nearby locations; and
• You can try them risk-free using their 30-day money-back guarantee.

We recommend signing up for their 1-year package because it’s almost 50% cheaper than paying every month and they’re giving you 3 months free right now which isn’t to be missed.

For most people, ExpressVPN will tick all the boxes. It certainly did for us.

References

1. The Telegraph | The best VPNs to protect your data, browser, iPhone, Android and more
2. NCA | Cyber crime
3. Metropolitan Police | Little Book of Cyber Scams

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