The Best UK VPNs

Lee Stanton June 2, 2023

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Are you searching for the best UK VPN? Maybe you’re a traveler who wants to bypass geo-restrictions on your streaming services. Or perhaps, you want to keep snooping governments, internet providers, and hackers out of your online activities.

The Investigatory Powers Act, introduced in the UK in 2016, legalized surveillance with little oversight. This implies that users can now be monitored by governmental organizations (including anything they do online).

Because of these reasons, it’s advisable to use a VPN when accessing the internet in the UK. By sending your data through an encrypted server, a VPN can protect your privacy by making it very difficult for prying eyes to figure out what you’re doing online.

At a Glance – Best VPNs for the UK

In this post, we will discuss in detail the five best UK VPNs, along with their pros and cons. But if you’re in a rush, here’s a summary of our top picks.

Best UK VPNs

Best UK VPN: Top 5

1. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is the best UK VPN because of the following reasons: fast connection speeds, reliable unblocking of streaming services, and excellent customer service.

It has 3,000+ servers spread across 94 countries (including the UK). ExpressVPN offers excellent connection speeds, which makes it a great option if you want to stream in HD and torrent large files swiftly.

ExpressVPN can unblock various streaming services, such as Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, Hulu, YouTube, Amazon, HBO, and more. Plus, it’s ideal for anyone who wants to access UK services like Sky, BT Sports, and All 4.

See Also: Best VPN for Netflix

Privacy is a priority for ExpressVPN; all plans feature industry-standard 256-bit encryption. Users also have a selection of protocols to choose from and have the option to prioritize speed or security. There’s also an internet kill switch, meaning all web traffic will be halted temporarily if the connection drops unexpectedly. This is one way this VPN ensures your privacy and security.

ExpressVPN doesn’t store traffic logs. Additionally, it’s headquartered in the British Virgin Islands (not a member of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance).

This VPN has apps for Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, and routers. In case you need help, you can reach out to their 24/7 support via live chat. They have the reputation of having the best customer service among all VPN services.

PROS

Best VPN for unblocking streaming services
Fast connection speeds
Easy to use
Excellent 24/7 customer support
30-day money-back guarantee

CONS

Maximum of 5 simultaneous connections

Get ExpressVPN now!

2. CyberGhost

Another contender for the best UK VPN is CyberGhost. CyberGhost is a great option to consider if you want to unblock global content, download torrents, or browse the internet anonymously. This VPN service is being used by 10 million+ people worldwide. It has 6,800 servers in 91 countries, guaranteeing you a decent connection wherever you are.

CyberGhost being based in Romania is a good thing, as the country is outside the jurisdiction of the 5,9, and 14 Eyes Alliance (an intelligence alliance that monitors electronic communications of both citizens and foreign governments).

One of the nice features of CyberGhost is its filtering system. For example, if you are looking for a server that is best suited for streaming Netflix, you can filter the servers to display only those that will provide the best Netflix experience.

CyberGhost has a large presence in the United Kingdom, with 460 servers in London, 119 servers in Manchester, and 53 servers in Berkshire. P2P is allowed on these servers.

This VPN offers a robust suite of tools and security features such as an automatic kill switch, AES 256-bit encryption, DNS and IP leak protection. CyberGhost claims not to log any identifying information about its users. We have to take their word for it, but it would be nice if there’s an independent audit to prove this.

For streaming and torrenting fans, CyberGhost is an excellent option to consider, as it offers fast connection speeds. Plus, you can connect up to 7 devices simultaneously. And, in case you’re not satisfied with the service, you can take advantage of this VPN’s long money-back guarantee – 45 days for one-year plans and up.

PROS

Large server fleet
Fast connection speeds
Optimized servers for streaming and torrenting
Budget-friendly VPN
45-day money-back guarantee

CONS

No third-party audit

Get CyberGhost now!

3. Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access (PIA) is the best VPN for torrenting. It has 30,000+ servers in 84 countries. Out of these, 1,878 servers are located in the UK (London, Manchester, and Southampton).

PIA offers fast and reliable connections that are essential for seamless streaming. With its vast server network worldwide, you can access geo-restricted streaming services such as US Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and NBC. You can also gain access to geo-restricted UK streaming services, including BBC iPlayer, Sky Sports, BT Sport, Channel 4, and many more.

This VPN offers advanced network settings, plus you can connect up to 10 devices simultaneously. Security-wise, PIA offers advanced features like DNS secure, IPv6 and WebRTC leak protection, and automatic kill switch to keep your data safe.

If you want to save money, you can avail of PIA’s 2-year plan (with 2 months free). That plan will only cost you $2.19 per month.

PROS

30,000 servers in 84 countries
Good for torrenting
Up to 10 simultaneous connections
Budget-friendly VPN
30-day money-back guarantee

CONS

Offers decent, but not the fastest speeds

Get Private Internet Access now!

4. NordVPN

NordVPN is a good choice for those who want a security-focused VPN. This VPN service has been audited by an independent third party. It has a zero-logs policy, meaning it doesn’t keep logs of user sessions, traffic, bandwidth used, or timestamps.

Users will have access to more than 5,500 servers worldwide, so no matter where you are, it’s unlikely that you won’t find a good connection. NordVPN unblocks most streaming services, including BBC iPlayer. That said, you may experience issues with unblocking US or UK Netflix from time to time.

On a desktop, Nord’s apps are aesthetically pleasing and simple to use, and you can customize your experience by changing a number of options. While the mobile app is functional too, the user interface is a bit awkward. On a computer’s larger screen, the map-based location picker functions well, but on a mobile device, it may make even the most nimble swiper feel clumsy.

NordVPN uses 256-bit AES encryption. DNS leak protection is also enabled. The maximum number of devices that can be used simultaneously is six (not the best among VPNs, but still helpful).

PROS

Fast speeds
Top-notch security and privacy protection
Based in Panama (not a member of 5/9/14 Eyes)
Keeps no logs
30-day money-back guarantee

CONS

Apps can be awkward

Get NordVPN now!

5. IPVanish

IPVanish is a fast, reliable VPN service with more than 2,000 servers globally. In the UK, IPVanish has 108 servers, located in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Maidenhead, and Glasgow.

With these UK servers, you can watch BBC iPlayer, BT Sport, and Channel 4 outside the UK. Additionally, its worldwide servers can unblock streaming services like US Netflix, Disney Plus, Amazon, and Hulu.

IPVanish offers split tunneling, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, P2P support, and a slew of other privacy-oriented features. It also has a no-logs policy. This VPN uses 256-bit encryption, SHA512 authentication, and DHE-RSA 2048-bit key exchange with perfect forward secrecy. There’s also a built-in kill switch which will temporarily halt traffic if the connection drops unexpectedly.

PROS

Operates 100+ servers in the UK
Connect all your devices
Good for Kodi and Firestick TV
Audited no-logs policy
30-day money-back guarantee

CONS

May struggle with some large streaming platforms

Get IPVanish now!

Best UK VPN FAQs

Why do you need to consider using a VPN in the UK?

A VPN is a crucial tool if you want to keep your search history and online activities private. Some Britons might want to access foreign streaming media. With a VPN, you can access content from around the globe, like US Netflix and Hulu (of course, you need to have a subscription to these services first).

Finally, you might want to access BBC iPlayer when traveling abroad, but are unable to do so. Only the best UK VPN services can bypass iPlayer’s stringent VPN-blocking technology and enable you to watch from overseas.

How do VPNs unblock Netflix?

Netflix has different libraries for various countries around the world. These libraries can only be accessed by those who are located in that country. This can be a problem for travelers. Furthermore, some people might want to watch shows they are not allowed to.

A VPN can change your location to any country you want. You can unblock Netflix from the UK by using a VPN service. Just select the server you wish to connect to and go to Netflix. For instance, if you select a US server when using a VPN, you’ll get an American IP address. You can now stream US Netflix even if you’re in the UK.

Is it advisable to use a free VPN in the UK?

Some people choose to use a free VPN to save money, but sadly, most free VPNs aren’t safe. Free VPNs usually harvest and sell user data, and are not very good at streaming UK shows from abroad. Free VPNs are also limited by data caps, slow speeds, server restrictions, and unreliable streaming access.

Are VPNs legal in the UK?

Yes, using a VPN in the UK is completely legal. You can use any of the VPN services listed above to ensure security and privacy. However, you can run into difficulties with British authorities if you use a VPN to engage in illegal activities.

Final Thoughts on the Best UK VPN

If you want to avoid intrusive and repressive online policies, then using a reliable VPN service is a must. For us, the best UK VPN is ExpressVPN, as it can protect you from snoops with its strong encryption protocols and no-logs policy. You can also use ExpressVPN to bypass geo-restrictions on popular streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, and HBO.