Using The UK Best VPN is a very simple way to maintain the privacy of your online activities while residing in or visiting the UK. After all, the UK’s Investigatory Powers Act allows for some of the most invasive government surveillance in the world, and it’s a founding member of the notorious Five Eyes alliance.

However, using the best UK VPN isn’t just about privacy and security. A top-tier service will also allow you to stream content from abroad, enabling UK expatriates to watch BBC iPlayer from anywhere in the world.

But finding a UK VPN that meets all your requirements can be a challenging task. That’s why we’ve tested nearly all the valuable services on the market from our UK base to ensure that we can recommend the best UK VPNs available today.

The best UK VPNs always prioritize security and privacy. So make sure the service you choose guarantees your online safety. We’ve conducted real-world testing and verified that all our recommendations here are reliable. Excellent connection speeds are also a must-have for most users, and streaming performance is a bonus that many will appreciate.

Consider on which devices you’ll be using your UK VPN. We highly recommend a service that works well in the UK. You may recognize NordVPN from its TV ads and sports sponsorships; it offers outstanding encryption, Onion over VPN, streaming, location spoofing, torrenting, and anonymous online experience.

But where NordVPN truly shines is in packaging all these features into a simple, intuitive software suite that combines seamless applications with excellent privacy credentials and streaming performance, making it the best all-around VPN for the UK. The most important part is the 30-day satisfaction guarantee, ensuring your contentment or a full refund.

If you’re looking to save money, we recommend Surfshark. for less than $2.50 per month, you’ll have unlimited data and simultaneous connections, rock-solid security, and in-depth features that free VPNs don’t have. Access is fast and all major streaming sites are unlocked. Surfshark is the best value for money.

How to get a free VPN for 30 days:
If you need a VPN for a short period of time while traveling abroad, get our top-ranked VPN for free. NordVPN offers a 30-day money back guarantee, which is real. You’ll need to pay upfront to use the subscription, but the subscription allows full access for 30 days. If you don’t like it you can cancel at any time and get a full refund, so you can try it with confidence.

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What Is a VPN?

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is essentially an encrypted connection from your device to a network over the internet. Because of this encryption, your device’s IP address, the websites you visit, and your location won’t be detectable by your Internet Service Provider (ISP) or anyone else on the same network, enhancing your level of privacy.

Why Do I Need a VPN?

VPNs can be used to protect your traffic when connected to public networks (think TfL public Wi-Fi or your local Starbucks) to prevent hackers and eavesdroppers. However, these tools have many other uses as well. For instance, they can effectively unlock geo-restricted content on services like Netflix, Disney+, and more.

Furthermore, VPNs not only help reclaim your privacy from your ISP but also from the apps and services you use, as well as, in some cases, government agencies.

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Why Do I Need a UK IP Address?

Advocacy group Freedom House states that the internet environment in the UK is “free” and notes that it is considered a key factor in determining social and democratic participation. Broadband internet access is a basic human right in the UK, supported by the commitment to unrestricted access to the internet, free from content censorship or other forms of censorship.

However, downloading copyrighted materials in the country is illegal, and there have been instances of copyright trolls using the law to obtain settlements, so it’s best to steer clear of infringing activities. Having a UK IP address can be helpful if you want to access a free and open internet. In countries or regions such as Iran, mainland China, Russia, and the UAE, citizens often cannot enjoy this freedom, as state-appointed engineers impose various blocks to restrict access to websites.

UK residents traveling abroad may find it useful to obtain an IP address from their home country. This can help access content like BBC iPlayer, Sky Go, UK Netflix, and ITV Hub, among others. Other use cases for a UK IP address include accessing online banking services and watching the English Premier League.

How to Get a UK IP Address from Anywhere

A Guide Obtaining a UK IP address is straightforward if you have a high-quality VPN with servers in the UK. Here’s a simple guide on how to do it:

First, create a VPN account:

Here are common types of blocked content in the UK:

By default, internet users in the UK are prohibited from accessing various types of websites because their internet connections are filtered by their ISPs, and this has been the case since 2013. However, some content categories are frequently blocked in the UK and include:

Popular websites like Wikipedia, which use content management systems such as WordPress.com, are blocked worldwide.
Torrenting is also blocked, which can be quite frustrating for some people.

If you’re interested in using WordPress, want to use torrents, or need to download content that’s geographically restricted in the UK, we recommend subscribing to a VPN solution.

In fact, VPNs prove to be useful in various situations. For example, they can bypass internet censorship while masking your IP address and location, making it appear as if you’re from another country or region. For instance, if you wish to access WordPress.com, you can connect using a VPN server located in the United States.

The UK Best VPN Services in 2023 Nov

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1. NordVPN – The most secure VPN available

NordVPN is a well-known service with a genuine zero-logs policy, meaning it doesn’t retain any logs of user sessions, bandwidth used, traffic, or timestamps. This decision has thwarted attempts by foreign agencies to extract user data from its servers. NordVPN has received information requests in the past but simply shrugged them off, stating they couldn’t comply.

Authorities even seized servers in one instance but couldn’t collect any valuable information. NordVPN is located in the sunny Panama, free from the surveillance of the Five Eyes, Nine Eyes, or Fourteen Eyes alliances, laying a strong foundation for your privacy. Additionally, it boasts an independently audited no-logs policy.

More importantly, the service comes with AES 256-bit encryption, two kill switches, and double VPN (multi-hop) options. If you need twice the privacy, it can route your connection through a second server. A single subscription grants access to six devices, but you can extend this number by configuring the VPN on your router. The application works on various platforms, including Linux, Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android.

NordVPN operates 5,000+ servers in over 60 countries, providing a reliable choice for all your online activities, be it gaming, streaming video, or downloading. Over 400 of these servers are in the UK. Furthermore, most servers are RAM-only, adding an extra layer of protection, and specific servers offer secure seed downloading with unparalleled download speeds.

NordVPN is also an excellent choice for unblocking region-locked content, handling video streaming securely, and it can access services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, ITV Hub, and BBC iPlayer. NordVPN is our top pick in the UK, offering high speeds, with prices starting at $3.49 per month and a 30-day risk-free refund guarantee.

I’ve tested this to make sure you can indeed get your money back. Initially, the support team tried to extend my trial period, but when I told them I wasn’t interested in an extension, they promptly initiated the refund process. I got my money back within 4 business days. Make sure you buy NordVPN and get another 3 months free >>

How to use NordVPN VPN

To use NordVPN, perform the following simple steps:

Go to the NordVPN website and sign up for a subscription.
Download the NordVPN app for the device you want to use.
Enter your login password in the app.
Enable the Obfuscation Server by going to: Settings > Show Advanced Settings > Obfuscation Server (toggle it on).
Now, connect to one of the obfuscation servers by clicking on the “Servers” tab, and then click to automatically connect to the fastest VPN server, or manually select the server location.
Use NordVPN and unlock all online content.

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2. Surfshark – Recommend the cheapest VPN

Surfshark is a VPN that prioritizes security and privacy, based in the British Virgin Islands, a region with no mandatory data retention laws. It uses 256-bit encryption, protects your traffic from WebRTC, DNS, and IPv6 leaks, and features a kill switch. Most importantly, Surfshark does not log any information that could identify you.

You can pay with three different cryptocurrencies for an additional layer of anonymity. They provide 24/7 support through live chat. Surfshark’s service offers access to over 3,200 high-speed servers in 60+ countries, including the UK servers in London, Glasgow, and Manchester. Importantly, all these servers are RAM-only, meaning all data is wiped after a reboot.

With no connection limits and unlimited bandwidth, Surfshark‘s UK VPN offers great value. It operates in privacy-friendly Netherlands and has an independently audited no-logs policy. Surfshark is also one of the fastest VPNs on the market, with robust geo-unblocking capabilities. It can unlock Netflix, Hulu + Live TV, BBC iPlayer, and All 4, among other major streaming platforms. The service is ideal for anyone looking to stream, torrent, or browse securely while traveling.

UK users will appreciate that Surfshark allows torrenting on all servers. Additionally, using this service, you can bypass online censorship measures imposed on P2P and other websites. Surfshark provides applications for MacOS, iOS, Windows, Android, and Linux. Using it with a wireless router requires manual configuration.

As the best budget option, Surfshark unlocks a plethora of UK streaming platforms, allowing you to protect all your devices at the same time, meaning you can watch what you want, whenever and wherever you want. Surfshark costs as low as $2.30 per month.

In fact, this price can be even lower, and you can get an unlimited number of devices and share your account with friends. Most importantly, Surfshark is very reasonably priced and includes a 30-day refund guarantee.

You can personally try Surfshark with a 30-day money-back guarantee, and its plans start as low as $2.30. Requesting a refund is easy using Surfshark’s live chat feature. While the support team asked me why I wanted to cancel initially, they promptly processed my request, and I had my money back in under 4 days! Make sure you buy Surfshark and get 3 months of service for free>>

How to Download and Install Surfshark

To use Surfshark VPN, perform the following simple steps:

Go to the Surfshark website and sign up for a subscription.
Download the Surfshark app for the device you want to use.
Enter your login credentials in the VPN app.
Enable the NoBorders feature by going to: Settings > Advanced > NoBorders (toggle on).
After activating the NoBorders feature, you can use the VPN as normal.
Enjoy using Surfshark VPN now.

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3. ExpressVPN – The fastest VPN in the world.

ExpressVPN is one of the top VPN services available, known for its customer-centric approach, lightning-fast connection speeds, minimal downtime, and an extensive server network with over 3,000 servers across 94 countries, including five locations in the UK. This makes ExpressVPN an excellent choice for travelers who want to access services like BT Sports, Amazon Prime, Sky Go, and All 4 when abroad.

ExpressVPN doesn’t store any traffic logs, but it does collect minimal information, such as the date of connection (not the time), server location choice, and the total bandwidth used. It never records your personal IP address under any circumstances, so the service cannot identify your identity. Furthermore, the company is based in the British Virgin Islands, beyond the reach of British authorities.

ExpressVPN uses 256-bit AES-CBC as its encryption standard along with HMAC authentication and perfect forward secrecy. It includes an internet kill switch known as Network Lock, which temporarily halts all network traffic if the connection is unexpectedly lost. The service provides applications for Android and iOS, as well as desktop clients for Windows, MacOS, and Linux.

ExpressVPN offers fast streaming speeds, leading privacy and security features, applications for all platforms, and a pleasant user experience. Their 24/7 chat support provided by knowledgeable staff is refreshing. The only downside is that it’s not cheap, but it offers impressive security and privacy along with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

When I personally tested ExpressVPN’s refund process, the support representative responded to my request in less than a minute via 24/7 live chat. I wasn’t even asked to reconsider or troubleshoot the issue. In fact, my request was processed immediately, and most importantly, I had my money back in less than 5 days! Make sure you get another 3 months free with your ExpressVPN purchase>>

How to set up ExpressVPN VPN

To use ExpressVPN, simply perform the following steps:

Go to the ExpressVPN website and sign up for a subscription.
Log in to your account and download the software for the device you want to use the VPN for.
Open the ExpressVPN app and enter the activation code (from your account page).
Now, connect to one of the nearest servers and use the internet normally.
Instantly use ExpressVPN and unlock all your online content.

How We Chose the Best VPN for the UK

Finding a VPN that makes promises to the world is easy, but finding one that truly delivers on those promises is much more challenging. Additionally, most VPNs cannot access popular foreign streaming services, which is why travelers have additional requirements. We use the following criteria to narrow down the list to only the best:

Server selection: Having a wide range of server locations allows access to more types of services. For example, using UK servers can provide a UK IP address for using UK streaming services while traveling.

Streaming capabilities: We test VPNs against services like BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, All 4, Sky Go, and Now TV to see which VPNs excel at evading detection. Reliability is also crucial as it reduces the need for repeated testing when selecting servers.

Performance: It’s important that your VPN speed is sufficient for the tasks you want to perform. Comparitech regularly tests leading providers for speed to determine which are the fastest and most reliable. However, note that your VPN speed is limited by the speed of your base connection.

Security features: At the very least, our top VPNs must use 256-bit encryption, leak protection, a kill switch, and a no-logs policy to ensure your security. We also prefer services with more advanced features, such as obfuscation, ad blocking, and split tunneling.

User-friendliness: We only recommend services that are welcoming to new users, meaning they must have applications for all major operating systems, well-thought-out designs, and customer support based on live chat.

Issues with Your UK VPN? Here’s What to Do

If you encounter issues with your UK VPN, don’t give up immediately. Here are a few things you can try:

Can I Use a Free UK VPN?

If you only want a quick fix, there are free VPN options available. However, free VPN services will definitely not provide the same experience as paid services. Typically, they have only one or two servers to connect to, weak encryption, so don’t assume your connection is optimized for privacy and security. This is especially problematic if you’re abroad and may use public Wi-Fi.

Additionally, there’s likely to be a data limit, which means your connection may terminate if you stream video for too long. Our recommendation is to avoid such providers. After all, there’s no such thing as a free lunch, and free VPNs profit by inserting tracking cookies, monitoring your browsing habits, and selling data to third-party advertisers. You also face the risk of malware infections, which can lead to data loss and the painful process of recovering your device.

Conclusion

Given the UK’s lack of focus on privacy, it’s essential to secure a reliable VPN for the UK. As it belongs to the global surveillance alliance, ISPs are required to collect your data. A VPN can encrypt your information, making it unreadable by any third party.

Furthermore, a VPN can be a useful tool for unlocking streaming services unavailable in the UK. It’s also suitable for accessing geographically restricted content libraries, such as those on Netflix, Disney Plus, or other platforms. Our top recommendation for UK citizens or travelers is NordVPN.

NordVPN operates over 440 servers in the UK, offering complete privacy and advanced security features. With strong security features, fast speeds, a massive server network, and reliable customer support through a strict no-logs policy, NordVPN ensures your privacy. You also get a 30-day money-back guarantee for added peace of mind.

You may also need a backup VPN, and we recommend signing up for more than one VPN if using a VPN is crucial to you. Many people already subscribe to more than one VPN service when traveling locally, so they can switch to another VPN if their original one fails to work.

Common Questions

Where can I get a free US/UK VPN to unlock Spotify?

Free VPNs are a dime a dozen, but finding a fast and reliable service can be more challenging. Free VPNs often have more users than paid services, resulting in slower speeds, making streaming very difficult. Instead of using a free VPN with potential security risks, why not take advantage of NordVPN‘s 30-day money-back guarantee? You’ll need to make an upfront payment, but you can try the service risk-free, and if it doesn’t meet your expectations, request a full refund.

How can I stream Top Gear from outside the UK?

Top Gear is available in many countries and regions, though not all of them will have the latest episodes. Check the following networks to see if they are showing Top Gear in your location:

What is the cost of a UK VPN?

The cost of a UK VPN largely depends on the VPN service. The average monthly subscription price is around £9 per month, but many providers offer substantial discounts for long-term plans. For example, by choosing a biennial option, you can get NordVPN for as low as £2.71 per month, saving 66%, one of the largest discounts in the VPN industry. The best approach is to try any of our top 3 UK VPNs risk-free to see if it meets all your requirements.

Can I get a dedicated IP address from a UK VPN node?

Yes, you can get a dedicated IP address from a VPN in the UK. VPN providers offer a wide range of services, including static IP addresses for their users. This means you can select a UK IP address and use it to access websites and services restricted to UK residents only. Static IP addresses provide extra security and privacy because they are not shared with other users.

Can I connect to servers in specific UK regions with a UK VPN node?

Yes, the best UK VPNs allow you to connect to servers in specific UK regions. Servers closer to your current location may offer faster connection speeds. Companies like NordVPN, Surfshark, ExpressVPN, and others provide hundreds of servers in the UK. You can select a particular location, such as London, Manchester, Edinburgh, or Glasgow, instead of automatically connecting to the best (or fastest) available server. Your IP address will reflect the chosen location.

Why can’t I use My5 outside of the UK?

My5 is a free online video service provided by Channel 5, but due to licensing agreements, it is only available in the UK. If you attempt to access My5 from outside the UK, you will receive a message indicating that the content is not available in your region. However, the best way to watch My5 from abroad is by using a VPN.

How can I get a UK VPN on my mobile (Android and iPhone)?

Getting a UK VPN for your smartphone is easy, whether it’s an iPhone or Android. All the top services listed above have dedicated apps for mobile devices. While some mobile apps may have fewer features than their PC counterparts, they can still protect you and your online data. To get a UK VPN for your iPhone or Android:

Go to your app store (Google or Apple).
Find the VPN app and download it.
After installing, connect to any VPN server.
When prompted, allow adding the VPN configuration. Alternatively, you can directly obtain a UK VPN from the provider’s website.

How can I choose an IP address from London via a VPN?

Some VPN providers allow you to choose the city and country where your server is located. For example, they may let you choose between servers in London, Manchester, or Glasgow. However, typically even if you don’t have the option to choose the city, servers usually reside in or near the capital, so a server simply labeled “UK” is likely to be located in London, providing you with an IP address from London.

The UK Best VPN Services in 2023 Nov

What Is a VPN?

Why Do I Need a VPN?

Why Do I Need a UK IP Address?

How to Get a UK IP Address from Anywhere

Here are common types of blocked content in the UK:

The UK Best VPN Services in 2023 Nov

1. NordVPN – The most secure VPN available

How to use NordVPN VPN

2. Surfshark – Recommend the cheapest VPN

How to Download and Install Surfshark

3. ExpressVPN – The fastest VPN in the world.

How to set up ExpressVPN VPN

How We Chose the Best VPN for the UK

Issues with Your UK VPN? Here’s What to Do

Can I Use a Free UK VPN?

Conclusion

Common Questions

Where can I get a free US/UK VPN to unlock Spotify?

How can I stream Top Gear from outside the UK?

What is the cost of a UK VPN?

Can I get a dedicated IP address from a UK VPN node?

Can I connect to servers in specific UK regions with a UK VPN node?

Why can’t I use My5 outside of the UK?

How can I get a UK VPN on my mobile (Android and iPhone)?

How can I choose an IP address from London via a VPN?

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