Best VPNs for the UK in 2024: Tried and tested

The UK is becoming more draconian with internet freedoms. A VPN will keep your data safe while unblocking lots of sites and services in Britain and elsewhere. 

Whether you’re a UK citizen, or staying in the country temporarily, a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is one of the best methods to improve online privacy. This is especially important following the introduction of the Investigatory Powers Act in 2016, which legalized mass surveillance by UK law enforcement and intelligence agencies with little oversight. 

For anyone traveling to the UK from a country like the United States, a VPN will also allow you to access geo-restricted services from home without breaking a sweat. You can even connect to a UK server while you’re in Britain, to stream BBC iPlayer while under the protection of a VPN connection. 

A VPN works by routing your online data through encrypted servers that are found elsewhere. This also gives the user a relevant IP address from wherever the VPN server is located, which can be used to access previously blocked sites. Here’s a quick summary of our top UK VPN picks.

Best VPNs for the UK: 

1. NordVPN: Our top recommendation for the UK. Feature-laden, NordLynx protocol, Meshnet, streaming support, and fast speeds from British servers. Comes with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee. 
2. Surfshark: The best budget VPN for the UK. Unlimited device connections with a single account, unblocks multiple streaming services, and offers ad blocking and malware filtering. 
3. ExpressVPN: Premium provider with diskless servers and strong streaming support. Custom router app, which is superb for torrenting or browsing securely. 
4. CyberGhost VPN: Speedy VPN with roughly 790 servers in the UK. Affordable deals, streaming servers, and a 45-day money-back guarantee.
5. Mullvad: Ideal for privacy and anonymity, simple pricing, and advanced security features. 
6. Proton VPN: Free plan with no bandwidth limits, plus an emphasis on security and accessing blocked content. 
7. IPVanish: High speeds, beginner-friendly apps, suitable for streaming, gaming, torrenting, and more in the UK and abroad.

Summary Table

Almost every VPN will have some sort of presence in the UK. That can make it harder to decide which is best to use in the region. 

We've been able to narrow the field with our case-specific inclusion criteria. Here are some of the non-negotiable characteristics we looked for when picking out the best VPNs for the UK:

• UK servers for uninterrupted access to local services while online 
• Fast connection speeds are beneficial in all circumstances, having less of an impact on the user  
• Streaming access in the UK and elsewhere 
• Usable privacy and security features 
• In order to qualify for one of the top three positions, the VPN must operate a 100% diskless server network 
• Similarly, the VPN provider must have had its infrastructure audited by a reputable third party to feature in our top three

For more information about the specific criteria we used for picking the best providers for the UK, check out the testing methodology section found later in this article.

Best VPN for the UK in 2023

Here’s a roundup with detailed information about each of the VPNs that have made it onto this list.

NordVPN is our top pick for Britain, with speedy UK servers found in Edinburgh, Glasgow, London, and Manchester. There are currently 590+ in the region, as part of a network that spans 6,000+ servers in 61+ countries. The provider also owns its network, rather than renting from third parties. 

There’s lots of support for users within the UK, including dedicated IP addresses. A dedicated IP address will only be assigned to you and doesn’t change, rather than sharing a rotating IP address with everyone else who is connected to the same VPN server. 

The service is ideal for streaming, working with every UK platform we tested. This includes Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Channel 4, and ITV Hub, as well as Sky Go and BT Sport. For any travelers from the United States, it also accessed Prime Video, Peacock, HBO Max, ESPN, NBC, ABC, CBS, and Hulu.

NordVPN comes with servers that are optimized for tasks like torrenting, Onion over VPN, and Double VPN. Smart DNS is built into the apps, and it also uses obfuscation. Threat Protection helps to block ads and trackers. 

Consistently pushing the boundaries forward, the NordLynx protocol gives the user fast speeds without impacting performance. Meshnet is another unique feature, and is available without paying for a subscription. NordVPN has an independently-audited no-logging policy and is based in the privacy-friendly region of Panama. 

There are apps for every major device, as well as extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. NordVPN comes with 24/7 live chat support, which is always helpful just in case. 

THE BEST VPN FOR THE UK: NordVPN offers high speeds, UK streaming, top security, and unique features like NordLynx and Meshnet. Comes with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee. 

Read our full NordVPN review.

Surfshark is a viable alternative for the UK, with 360+ servers spread across London, Manchester, Glasgow, and Edinburgh. That makes up roughly 10% of the 3,200+ on offer, found in 100+ countries worldwide. The provider is fast, with average speeds of 192 Mbps from London servers during testing. 

It works with Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, ITV X, All 4, Sky Go, and BT Sport within the UK. You'll find similar functionality if you’re hoping to stream content from elsewhere. 

Despite being marketed as a budget option, Surfshark is able to match up to the competition in most respects. We’ve already covered speeds and streaming, but it’s worth noting that the provider uses diskless servers, while its applications and infrastructure have been audited by the likes of Deloitte and Cure53. 

Headquartered in the Netherlands, it’s not the best option if you’re aiming to avoid countries with high levels of online surveillance. The Netherlands also works with the UK and the US due to the Nine Eyes intelligence treaty. This makes Surfshark’s no-logs policy all the more important, as the provider will have no record of what users are doing while connected.  

Apps are available for every major operating system, and it comes with extras including malware filtering, ad blocking, split tunneling, obfuscation, and rotating IPs. 

TOP BUDGET UK VPN: Surfshark is an affordable provider that allows for unlimited simultaneous devices. Servers in 100+ countries, speedy connections, CleanWeb, and much more. 30-day money-back guarantee. 

Read our full review of Surfshark.

ExpressVPN has cemented its reputation as a reliable service if you need to access blocked sites from almost anywhere. It operates RAM-only servers in 105+ countries, which are wiped after every reboot. 

Let’s start with the negatives. A lack of port forwarding is a bit of a letdown, and it’s more expensive than the competitors listed above and below. ExpressVPN also lacks some of the advanced features seen elsewhere, including MultiHop connections. 

On the positive side, it does come with a variety of unique extras that help the provider to stand out from the crowd. For example, Lightway is a proprietary VPN protocol that was built from the ground up to ensure optimal speeds and security. 

ExpressVPN’s router app is unmatched, while the iOS version allows for parallel connections, which test various different protocols simultaneously, picking the fastest option automatically. When paired with the auto-connect feature, parallel connections make the VPN especially user-friendly. 

Smart DNS (MediaStreamer) allows the user to access popular American streaming platforms on any device that doesn’t have a VPN app. 

It’s based in the British Virgin Islands, well away from any invasive jurisdictions. 

IDEAL FOR BEGINNERS: ExpressVPN is a premium provider that ticks almost every box for the UK. Speeds that can reach over 400 Mbps, RAM-only servers, Lightway protocol, capable router apps, industry-leading support, 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of ExpressVPN.

CyberGhost VPN has a massive network with 10,000+ servers in 100+ countries. 790+ are found in England, split between Berkshire, London, and Manchester. These servers are physically located in Britain, and allow for P2P connections. You’ll also be able to get a dedicated IP address in the UK, as well as from the US, Germany, France, and Canada.

CyberGhost VPN recorded average speeds of 224 Mbps while testing the London servers, and it works with the majority of popular streaming services in the UK and beyond. In fact, it goes so far as to offer dedicated streaming services in a wide list of countries, which makes it a viable pick if accessing content is primarily what you’re after. 

The provider is ideal for beginners, with capable apps for Windows, Android, iOS, and macOS, and support for seven devices at any time. You’ll be able to select between OpenVPN or WireGuard protocols, while its privacy policy has been verified by Deloitte Romania. 

CyberGhost VPN does lack a few of the advanced features found elsewhere, including split tunneling, and port forwarding. If that’s a dealbreaker, you might be better served looking at the services listed above.

DEDICATED STREAMING SERVERS: CyberGhost VPN has almost 800 servers in the UK. Offers lots of features, dedicated IPs, streaming and torrenting support, noteworthy speeds, and a lengthy 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full CyberGhost VPN review.

Mullvad allows the user to sign in with an account number rather than an email address. An audited provider that focuses on security, it has servers within the UK as part of a network that spans 42+ countries.

It scores top marks for speeds and privacy, offering WireGuard, DNS leak protection, toggleable obfuscation, and IPv6 support. Mullvad’s logging policy is watertight, ensuring that it doesn't log any activity or connection details, although it does record aggregated app data for diagnostic purposes.

The VPN allows for torrenting (including port forwarding) and offers decent connection speeds from its UK servers. 

However, it does come with a few caveats. It’s not the best choice for streaming, whether that’s in the UK or elsewhere. It’s also left wanting if you were hoping for live chat, as you’ll have to search through support pages or send an email to the customer support team directly.

ANONYMOUS UK SERVERS: Mullvad solely focuses on security and anonymity, ensuring that users in and around the UK can benefit from improved online privacy, IPv6 support, WireGuard connections, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of Mullvad.

Proton VPN has a solid reputation within the industry as a secure provider with 100+ UK servers in two cities. Split between Manchester and London, only the latter can be used for torrenting, but both offer streaming support, along with its NetShield ad blocker, and the fastest connection speeds possible. 

You’ll also find Secure Core servers, which are routed through privacy-friendly countries before reaching the UK. You can choose between Switzerland, Sweden, or Iceland. These will help to decrease your digital footprint. 

Proton works with the majority of free UK streaming channels, including Netflix, BBC iPlayer, ITV X, and Channel 4. It struggled with Sky Go, but it can also access services like Hulu, Disney Plus, and HBO Max via US locations. It’s powerful, with average speeds of 252 Mbps while testing servers in the UK. It's reliable connections can be used for online banking services, as well as accessing geo-restricted content.

The provider is headquartered in Switzerland, which has especially strong data protection laws. Proton VPN keeps no user logs, and its policy has been verified by a third-party security audit carried out independently by Securitum.

SECURE CORE UK SERVERS: Proton VPN offers a mix of solid security and streaming support, along with various features for users in the UK. Secure Core servers and includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of Proton VPN.

IPVanish is another worthwhile VPN for anyone in the UK. There are 100+ servers spread between London, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, and Maidenhead, as part of a network that spans 75+ locations worldwide. The provider owns all 2,000+ of its servers, rather than renting them from third-parties. 

It unblocks the majority of major UK streaming platforms, including BBC iPlayer, ITV X, YouTube TV, and Channel 4. However, it’s only confirmed to work with US sites and services, and failed to access either Netflix UK or Sky Go. 

IPVanish is ideal if you’re looking for one of the faster providers on the market, with speeds of 291 Mbps recorded from the capital. That’s more than quick enough to stream or download large files with ease. 

You’ll find apps for all devices, and features that include split tunneling, obfuscation, and a SOCKS5 proxy, which is handy if you’re planning to torrent files. 

As it’s based within the United States, it’s doubly important that IPVanish has a solid no-logs policy. The VPN doesn’t monitor or store any records of your browsing activities, and it never tracks your source IP address or the IP address of the servers to which you connect.

SPEEDY VPN FOR THE UK: IPVanish offers speeds that are hard to beat, with a large server network, decent streaming support, an audited service, and the ability to connect an unlimited number of devices simultaneously. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of IPVanish.

Methodology: How we chose the best VPNs for the UK

• UK servers: Speedy servers from multiple locations in the UK are a prerequisite, as well as options found elsewhere for anyone who wants to access blocked sites and services in other countries. It will also work to give the user a British IP address.
• Streaming access: Does the provider work with streaming services in the UK, which are often difficult to bypass? Better still, can the VPN offer access to sites and services in other countries while the user is in the UK? 
• Speeds and performance: Connection speeds will have a large impact on everything you do while you’re online. We’ve tested each of the providers, checking out average speeds from London servers for British users. 
• Privacy and security: Any notable features that help to set the service apart from the competition, whether it’s custom protocols or anything else that improves privacy or online security. The VPN service must not leak your real IP address. 
• Third-party audits: Trust is the foundation of the value that VPNs provide. You are essentially placing more faith in your VPN provider than you are in your ISP. Almost every provider says they are a ‘no logs' VPN. The only ways to test this claim are either through the courts or through audits. We will only consider providers for our top three positions if they have undergone infrastructure audits from a reputable third party. While this isn't foolproof, it's the closest the industry has to a verification process for logging policies.
• Diskless infrastructure: Again, this is a prerequisite to be considered for one of the top three positions on BleepingComputer. While the data stored on a VPN server should be minimal, it could, theoretically, be accessed if the servers were seized or hacked. Moving processes to RAM means that no information can be physically taken from servers and it is wiped on shutdown. It can also easily be wiped as a part of regular security procedures.

UK VPN: FAQs 

Are VPNs legal in the UK?

Yes, VPNs are legal in the UK, as is the case for most countries in the world. However, some VPN websites are blocked by major ISPs in the UK, including the likes of Virgin Media. 

VPNs are outright banned or blocked in some regions, including China and Russia. Make sure you find out the local laws before downloading a VPN. 

Can I use a free VPN for the UK?

It is possible to use a free VPN, but it’s not a good idea for a number of reasons. Firstly, you can’t be sure about what the provider is doing with your data, and free services tend to make money from their users somehow. If you’ve found a benevolent service that doesn’t siphon your data, it’s likely that the VPN will be extremely limited. 

Take Proton VPN, which actually offers a capable free tier. You can’t use UK servers with the freemium version, and there’s no streaming access whatsoever. Speeds are slower compared to premium connections, and you’ll miss out on a lot of key features. 

Can I connect to a specific city in the UK with a VPN?

It depends, but many VPNs offer servers that are found in various cities within the UK. For example, NordVPN has servers in Edinburgh, Glasgow, London, and Manchester. You’ll be assigned an UK IP address that roughly matches the city or region you’re connecting to. 

Can I get a dedicated UK IP address with a VPN?

Yes. Some providers offer dedicated IP addresses from the UK. For example, NordVPN and CyberGhost allow the user to do so, but you will have to pay an additional fee on top of the standard subscription. 

Should I use a UK-based VPN?

It’s inadvisable to use a VPN based in the UK, even if it’s solely due to the jurisdiction. Many internationally headquartered providers have physical servers in the country already, so there’s no benefit to opting for a British service. 

Why would I need a UK VPN?

The UK is free in many ways, but the government and many others may be interested in what you get up to while you’re online. This includes your ISP, and any marketers keen to get their hands on your personal data. 

If you travel abroad, a VPN lets you regain access to your favorite UK-only streaming services.

Will a VPN slow my connection speeds down?

It depends. A VPN can cause some slowdown due to the encryption process. This was more prevalent in the past, but the majority of premium providers have UK servers that are fast enough to stream content or torrent files with no issues. 

Can I watch British TV services with a VPN?

Yes. When you connect to a VPN server in the UK, you gain a valid IP address inside of the country. This allows you to pretend to be in the UK from anywhere in the world. This is a huge benefit if you are on vacation, traveling for work, or an expat who is living abroad but wants to continue using British banking services, streaming platforms, or any other internet services based in Britain. 

Not all VPNs have servers that work to watch BBC iPlayer and other prominent UK streaming services. This is because streaming services spend a lot of time and effort spotting and blocking IP addresses associated with VPNs. As a result of these blacklists, it is important to subscribe to a recommended VPN with a UK IP.

Our recommendations have all been tested to check that they can provide a secure connection to a British IP address. Those servers have also been tested to watch popular streaming services from abroad. The important thing to remember is that each VPN differs, and may work with different services. For this reason, you should check our in-depth reviews to get the right VPN for your needs.

Alternatively, you can test any of the VPNs on this page risk-free by using their money-back guarantees. This will let you see whether the VPN works to stream your particular streaming service. Below, we have included a list of British TV platforms that you can access abroad with a VPN:

1. BBC iPlayer
2. ITV Hub
3. All 4
4. My5
5. BritBox
6. Sky Go
7. Netflix UK
8. Amazon Prime Video
9. Disney+
10. Channel 4
11. Channel 5
12. Sky Atlantic
13. Sky One
14. Dave
15. Comedy Central UK
16. E4
17. More4
18. ITV
19. BBC One
20. BBC Two
21. BBC Three
22. BBC Four
23. CBBC
24. CBeebies
25. Channel 4 News
26. Channel 5 News
27. Sky News
28. ITV News

It is also worth noting that a VPN can help you watch these streaming platforms at work or in school. When you connect to a VPN in college, at university, or at work, you appear to be outside of the local network, which lets you watch your favorite streaming platforms. 

The best thing about a VPN is that it also provides encryption. This stops local network administrators from finding out that you bypassed the blocks to watch TV at work. Plus, a VPN also works to bypass blocks on Twitch, Discord, games like Minecraft or Fortnite, social media, and anything else that is blocked within Britain.