If you’re looking for the best UK VPN, it means you want to bypass geo-blocking, torrent safely, or protect your privacy online. While most services can help you with one of these issues, only the top VPNs for the UK can do it all.
A VPN will unblock UK streaming services and protect your identity online by hiding your real IP address.
These providers will allow you to watch Netflix UK, BBC iPlayer, or BT Sport even if you’re not in the UK. What’s more, you’ll be able to download torrents and browse anonymously without fear of surveillance, legalized by the Investigatory Powers Act.
Top 5 VPNs for UK in 2023 shortlist
If you don’t have time for reading reviews and comparing different gaming VPNs, simply choose one of the five options below:
- The fastest VPN for UK9.7
- Budget-friendly and powerful9.4
- The cheapest secure VPN for UK9.0
- Cheapest VPN for UK8.7
- Most country options8.6
How to get a UK IP address with a VPN
- Choose a VPN (we recommend NordVPN, now 57% off)
- Download and install the app for your device
- Connect to any server in the UK
- Now you can browse and stream as if you were in the UK
How to choose the best VPN for the UK?
The UK is one of the worst countries when it comes to online privacy. That’s why you need a reliable VPN service to protect yourself and your data. It should use military-grade encryption, the latest tunneling protocols, and have a kill switch. The best UK VPN should also have a no-logs policy.
What’s more, when looking for the best VPN for the UK, check if it unblocks popular streaming platforms. We’re talking about Netflix UK, BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, Channel 4, and others. Geo-blocking may also prevent you from accessing the local versions of your favorite websites or seeing the prices in GBP while shopping online.
Finally, a UK VPN should allow torrenting and offer good speeds to download large files quickly and stream in 4K (UHD). We also recommend getting a provider with 24/7 live chat customer support.
Best VPN for the UK overview
Let’s look more closely at the best VPN options for the UK in 2023. All are available on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and other platforms.
These top UK VPNs come in various combinations of features and prices, so you should be able to choose the right one that fits your needs most.
1. NordVPN – the best VPN for UK
Panama
5400
60
1,247 Mbit/s
- Best security
- Top speeds
- SmartPlay to bypass geo-blocks
- No router app
NordVPN is the best VPN for the UK. Located in sunny Panama, NordVPN isn’t subject to surveillance from the Five, Nine, or Fourteen Eyes, giving it a good foundation for keeping you private. Besides, it has an independently audited no-logs policy.
What’s more, this service comes with AES 256-bit encryption, two types of kill switches, and a Double VPN (multi-hop) option. It can route your connection through a second server if you ever need twice the privacy.
NordVPN is also a great choice for unblocking region-locked content. This provider gives you access to Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and other streaming platforms without hurting performance. Safe torrenting is available on select servers, and the download speeds are unmatched.
With NordVPN, you get 5400+ servers in 60 countries. More than 440 of them are in the UK. Additionally, most of the servers are RAM-only, adding extra protection.
The prices start from $3.49/month. You get six simultaneous connections, but this number can be extended by configuring the VPN on your router. There’s also a 7-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
For a deeper investigation of NordVPN, read our NordVPN review.
2. Surfshark – a powerful and affordable VPN
Netherlands
3200
100
927 Mbit/s
- Great security
- Geo-unblcoking with Smart DNS
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Some features cost extra
Surfshark UK VPN offers plenty of bang for your buck. Firstly, the service operates from the privacy-friendly Netherlands and has an independently-audited no-logging policy. Also, it uses military-grade encryption, a reliable kill switch, and leak protection.
This is also one of the fastest VPNs on the market, offering great geo-unblocking ability (Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu + Live TV, and more). Users in the UK will appreciate that Surfshark allows torrenting on all servers. Moreover, using this service, you can get past the online censorship measures imposed on P2P and other websites.
Surfshark has 3200+ servers in 100+ countries. The UK servers are in London, Glasgow, and Manchester. But what matters most is that all of them are RAM-only, meaning all data is wiped after a restart.
You can get Surfshark for $2.30/month. In reality, this price can be even lower because you get an unlimited number of devices and can share your account with friends. Finally, there’s a 7-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
For a deeper investigation of Surfshark VPN, read our Surfshark VPN review.
3. Atlas VPN – the cheapest secure VPN for UK
United States
750
37
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Great free version
- Very cheap
- Apps lack features
Next up is Atlas VPN. It’s based in the US, a country with not that favorable privacy laws. However, this provider has a strict no-logs policy, ensuring that your data remains safe.
Atlas VPN uses bank-grade encryption and has a robust kill switch. Moreover, it offers malware protection and the next-gen WireGuard tunneling protocol for fast connection. You will also be notified in case your information ends up on a leaked database.
This provider operates 750+ servers spread over 37+ countries. Additionally, there are SafeSwap servers that rotate IP addresses, which is a nice bonus for security.
Atlas VPN does a great job of avoiding geo-blocks. You’ll be able to watch Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and other content platforms. P2P activities are allowed on all servers with split tunneling for Android users.
You can get Atlas VPN just for $2.05/month with a 30-day money-back guarantee. There’s also an excellent free version for testing some of the features beforehand. And finally, the limit for simultaneous connections doesn’t exist!
For a deeper investigation of Atlas VPN, read our Atlas VPN review.
4. PrivateVPN – cheap UK VPN for streaming
Sweden
200
63
135 Mbit/s
- Solid security features
- Fast
- Excellent for streaming
- macOS and iOS apps have fewer features
PrivateVPN’s jurisdiction is Sweden, a member of the Fourteen Eyes intelligence alliance. On the other hand, its strict no-logs policy means you shouldn’t be too much concerned unless you’re a political activist or a spy. Moreover, NASA-grade encryption, a kill switch, and no leaks offer excellent protection.
Where this service really excels is combining high speed and low prices. Therefore, if you should have no issues streaming Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and other content platforms in HD or even UHD (4K) quality. Downloading torrents is also safe and fast, plus you can use port forwarding and a SOCKS5 proxy.
PrivateVPN has 200+ servers in 63 countries. That’s a really small server fleet, but this provider chooses quality over quantity. It also owns all servers, including those in the UK (London and Manchester).
You can grab this VPN for $2.00/month. That includes ten simultaneous connections and a 7-day free trial. If you still haven’t made up your mind after one week, there’s also a 30-day money-back guarantee.
For a deeper investigation of PrivateVPN, read our PrivateVPN review.
5. PureVPN – a VPN for UK with most country options
British Virgin Islands
6500
71
120 Mbit/s
- 10 simultaneous connections
- Unblocks Netflix and other services
- Good range of supported platforms
- Some of the server locations are virtual
PureVPN offers more than enough privacy and security to place it among the top UK VPNs. It has an independently-audited no-logs policy, no DNS, IP, or WebRTC leaks, and a reliable kill switch. Besides, the unbreakable military-grade cipher encrypts all of your traffic.
The server fleet of PureVPN consists of 6500+ servers in 71+ countries. That’s more than enough to compete with the other UK VPNs for download and upload speeds. If you want to get a Canadian IP, you’ll be able to choose from over 550+ servers in Maidenhead, London, Gosport, and Manchester. Torrenting is allowed, and you’ll be able to watch Netflix in multiple locations.
Getting PureVPN for $2.08/month is a good idea, especially because of its 10 devices per account and 24/7 live chat. You can also try this service for 7 days ($0.99). All pricing plans come with a 31-day money-back guarantee should you decide to choose another UK VPN.
For a deeper investigation of PureVPN, read our PureVPN review.
6. Private Internet Access – the biggest server fleet in 2021
United States
29300
84
73 Mbit/s
- Good security credentials
- 10 simultaneous connections
- Highly affordable
- Based in the US
Private Internet Access (PIA) is an excellent VPN for the UK. Yes, its location is far from the best, but the no-logs policy, proven in court multiple times, is what really matters. Furthermore, PIA accepts anonymous payments, has strong leak protection, and uses AES 256-bit encryption.
This VPN is great for the UK because of its massive server list. The majority of 29300+ servers in 84+ countries are located either in Europe or N. America. That’s why PIA can offer decent speeds no matter where you’re connecting from.
Private Internet Access is a good option for P2P, offering both port forwarding and a SOCKS5 proxy. It also unblocks Netflix US. This UK VPN is very cheap as well – you can get PIA for $2.03/month only with ten devices allowed. Plus, there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee.
For a deeper investigation of Private Internet Access, read our Private Internet Access review.
7. IPVanish – a VPN for UK without virtual servers
USA
2000
50
- Excellent security
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Unblocks Netflix US
- Based in the US
IPVanish is among the top VPNs for the UK and the best VPNs overall. Its jurisdiction is far from being privacy-friendly, but a strict no-logging policy saves the day. What’s more, IPVanish is one of the few to offer Tor over VPN, a feature that greatly increases your privacy.
This VPN provides excellent speeds, thanks to the integration of WireGuard with its network of 2000+ servers in more than 50 countries. Those wanting a UK IP will be able to select from 100+ servers in Manchester, Birmingham, Maidenhead, and London. With IPVanish, you’ll be able to stream Netflix US and download torrents from any server.
When compared to the rest of the competition, the IPVanish price is quite decent, starting from $3.99/month. Most importantly, you can connect as many devices as you please. All plans have a 30-day money-back guarantee, which should be more than enough to try everything yourself.
For a deeper investigation of IPVanish, read our IPVanish review.
The best feature of each VPN for the UK
| NordVPN | The fastest VPN for the UK |
| Surfshark | Unlimited simultaneous connections |
| Atlas VPN | The cheapest VPN for the UK |
| PrivateVPN | Inexpensive UK VPN for streaming |
| PureVPN | The biggest country list |
| Private Internet Access | The largest server fleet |
| IPVanish | UK VPN with bare-metal servers |
Why do you need a VPN in the UK?
Unfortunately, the UK is one of the worst countries when it comes to online privacy. That’s why you need a reliable VPN service to protect yourself and your data.
To start with, the UK belongs to the Five Eyes intelligence alliance. It means that your data can be shared among the member countries, including those that belong to Nine and Fourteen Eyes. The biggest intelligence partner of the UK is the US – they’ve been working together for decades.
What’s more, the infamous Investigatory Powers Act allows the government to snoop on your online activities. And doing that is pretty easy because telcos and ISPs collect your data and store it for one year. In this case, the best option is to hide your IP and encrypt all traffic with a reliable UK VPN.
You also need a VPN for safe torrenting. Peer-to-peer networks show your IP address to anyone, including the ISP. So if you download something copyrighted, you might get a fine pretty soon.
Putting the privacy issues aside, a VPN for the UK can help you avoid geo-blocking. Certain streaming platforms and channels are unavailable in other countries, but a VPN can help you watch Netflix UK or BBC iPlayer as if you were at home.
How we made this Best VPN for the UK list
We picked the Top 7 VPNs for the UK in 2023 using these criteria:
- Privacy. Each service must have a no-logs policy, DNS & IP leak protection, and a robust kill switch. A VPN should also be outside the Fourteen Eyes in a location without any data retention laws.
- Security. Every UK VPN should use bank-grade encryption and the best tunneling protocols, such as WireGuard, OpenVPN, or IKEv2.
- Speed. This feature is essential no matter what you do with the VPN, be it browsing, torrenting, or streaming.
- Server list. A UK VPN should have a server near your location. At the same time, you should have enough UK servers to choose from.
- P2P. Torrenting should be allowed on most servers. Features like split tunneling or port forwarding are recommended.
- Streaming. Best UK VPNs should also unblock multiple Netflix libraries and other streaming platforms, such as Disney+ or BBC iPlayer.
- Pricing. Any plan that costs less than $4.00/month can be considered as cheap. Just don’t forget that each VPN offers a different set of features.
Which VPN servers in the UK to choose
You should always look for the closest VPN server in the UK. This way, you’ll get the best speeds with low latency. Most of the time, selecting a country will be enough. Your UK VPN will pick the optimal option.
Not all VPNs allow choosing a city, but this shouldn’t be an issue because the UK is relatively small. However, some days the closest server can be under maintenance or overcrowded. Therefore, choosing NordVPN for the UK is a good idea because it lets you choose on the city level.
Which free UK VPN is the best?
The best free UK VPN is Proton VPN. It provides excellent security and privacy and has no data or speed limitations. Proton VPN also doesn’t show any ads and comes with a strict no-logs policy. While it has only three server locations, those should be enough for most users.
However, just like any free VPN for the UK, Proton VPN has its limitations. For starters, it allows neither torrenting nor streaming, and these are some of the most popular reasons people use VPNs in the first place. Furthermore, it allows only one device per account, but this can be solved by creating additional free accounts.
If you really want a free VPN that allows P2P, your best bet is Atlas VPN. It offers three locations and automatic wifi protection. However, the speeds aren’t maxed out and data is limited to 10 GB/month so it’s not ideal for larger files.
Learn more about the best free UK VPNs – they all have their pros and cons.
How much does the UK VPN cost?
Once again, it greatly depends on the VPN service. The average price of a monthly subscription is around 9 GBP per month. However, many providers offer big discounts for long-term plans.
For example, you can get NordVPN for 2.71 GBP/month if you choose the bi-annual option. This way, you save 57%, which is one of the biggest discounts in the VPN industry.
As always, you should also consider the bang-for-the-buck ratio before committing. While NordVPN costs more than VyprVPN, it also offers much more in terms of features and connection speed. So the best option is to try any of our Top 7 UK VPNs risk-free and see if it ticks all the boxes.
Streaming with UK VPN
Not all content is available in the UK, and not all UK content is available elsewhere. It’s called geo-blocking when some online resources are unavailable due to copyright or other legal reasons. And here’s where the UK VPN comes to aid.
All you need to do is connect to a VPN server in your desired location. You’ll get an IP of that country and will be able to access a geo-blocked movie or show. Don’t forget that your connection with a VPN will be slower, so in some cases, it might be impossible to stream in 4K (UHD), especially if your server is on another continent.
Not all VPNs are capable of unblocking every imaginable content platform. Most premium VPNs will at least give you Netflix US, while some will add Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, or Disney Plus, among others.
Our Top 7 UK VPNs are great for streaming. You’ll be able to access multiple Netflix libraries plus other platforms, such as BT Sport, ITV hub, or BBC iPlayer. If you can’t, try connecting to another server – chances are its IP hasn’t been blacklisted yet.
How to get UK VPN on mobile (Android & iPhone)
Getting a UK VPN for your smartphone is easy, be it iPhone or Android. All of our top services listed above have dedicated apps for mobile devices. Some may have fewer features than their desktop counterparts, but they can protect you and your data online nevertheless.
To get a UK VPN for iPhone or Android:
- Go to your app store (Google or Apple)
- Find the VPN app and download it
- After installation, connect to any VPN server
- When asked, allow adding VPN configuration
Alternatively, you may be able to get a VPN for the UK right from the provider’s website.
Bottom line
The Snooper’s Charter is here to stay, and the UK is not planning to quit the Fourteen Eyes intelligence alliance anytime soon. After the Brexit, nothing that the EU courts have ruled matters. So what does all this mean to the UK citizens?
You need a good UK VPN to protect your privacy. Otherwise, your traffic data can be transferred to many government institutions, along with your IP and real address. And there will be plenty of data to look at because of the one-year-long retention period. When you use a reliable VPN, such as NordVPN, it hides your IP and encrypts your traffic with a military-grade cipher.
Our recommended VPNs are all solid options for the UK. Hopefully, this article will help you to make an informed decision when choosing a UK VPN provider in 2023.
If you’re in the UK, which of these VPNs have you used before? Did we miss any great VPNs for the UK? Let us know in the comments below.
You may also like to read:
Best VPN for Europe
Are VPNs legal in my country?
Best VPN for Crypto trading
Best VPN for iPhone
Best VPN for Android
Atlas VPN vs NordVPN
FAQ
Is free VPN good in the UK?
Many free VPN providers contain malware and do extensive logging to sell your data to third parties. Even some poorly-rated premium services do that.
The biggest issue of all UK VPNs is IP and DNS leak protection. That’s why we collected the top services that are leak-free and have strict no-logs policies. This way, you can be sure that your IP address and location remain anonymous.
To sum up, it’s much safer to use a good UK VPN from the list above.
Are VPNs legal in the UK?
Using a VPN is legal in the UK. However, that doesn’t mean that streaming or downloading copyrighted content suddenly becomes legal too. Furthermore, you should check your VPNs jurisdiction before using it in the UK.
Not only telcos and ISPs are obliged to log user data in the UK – Virtual Private Networks have to do that too and store it for one year. Therefore, you should choose a provider that’s not registered in the UK. Even if it claims to have a strict no-logs policy, there’s always a chance that a court order can change that.
What is the best VPN for streaming in the UK?
NordVPN is the best VPN for streaming. Not only does it unblock Netflix but other streaming platforms, such as BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, or Amazon Prime Video as well. Additionally, this service is more than able to fight geo-blocking without sacrificing speed. Therefore, you should be able to watch your beloved shows and movies in high video quality without buffering.
Can you get a cheaper VPN subscription if you buy it from abroad?
Hi, Gavin. As far as I know, VPNs keep prices consistent across the globe and alter the currency accordingly. You could try using VPN coupon codes instead for better prices.
When I first entered the market for a vpn I chose Nord. At the time I had a 100 Mbps connection but when I activated the Nord vpn it would drop to under 10 and sometimes under 8. Tried for a couple weeks to resolve the problem with their tech support with no success so I eventually had to cancel. I then tried PIA and even though it put a healthy dent in my speed I still had plenty for all the streaming I could ever want. My connection is now 200 Mbps and I just ran a speed test with my vpn active that clocked in at 106 Mbps so I’m good.
Yeah with how NUTS it is in the UK right now, I think it’s an important place to visit historically (that’s why I’m going this summer), I don’t trust ANYTHING while I’m there. Thankfully I’ve already got NordVPN, and that will keep my information safe at least. I hope they really get their stuff together soon, cause it’s getting nasty over there.
What makes the ExpressVPN top the NordVPN? And just curious, how do you make the assessment of choosing the right VPN?
Combine “1984” and “V for Vendetta” and you have the current political climate in the UK. I don’t normally talk politics but the UK is getting bad, especially when it comes to freedom of speech. I know it’s a bit different than back here in the colonies (which have their own privacy issues), but it’s difficult to think of a Western democracy where you need a VPN so badly.
I’m shopping around for a better VPN, and this list has given me great info for my search. Thanks for sharing!