Best VPNs in the UK in 2025


With the UK being a member of the 5 Eyes Alliance, many Britons and those travelling here are looking for the best VPN in UK to increase their privacy online.

A UK VPN not only encrypts your data, making it unreadable to third parties, improves your privacy, but also allows you to bypass geo-restrictions and access global content from your home. However, no VPNs are equal and finding the best VPN deals in the UK, considering not only price but also quality, can be rather challenging.

Together with our expert team, I’ve done extensive research and testing on 41 services to provide you with the best VPN for UK residents. We’ve considered crucial factors, such as encryption, privacy policy, server availability, unblocking capabilities, price and more.

Top 5 best VPNs to use in the UK

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The best VPNs for the UK – our detailed list:

We researched dozens of VPNs and their server fleet in the UK, privacy policies, reputation and security features. We also tested their average download and upload speeds and streaming platform unblocking capabilities and found out their server network size. You can read about the results in detail down below:

1. NordVPN – best VPN for the UK overall

NordVPN banner new
Servers/countries:7200+ servers in 118 countries
Simultaneous connections:10
Streaming services unblocked:Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more

NordVPN is one of the best VPNs for the UK because of its excellent performance and security features. It ensures complete privacy online and has over 7200 servers in 118 countries. Plus, it’s capable of effortlessly unblocking various streaming services worldwide.

Privacy. I read NordVPN’s audited privacy policy, and it clearly states that they don’t log your personal information. The data they do collect (for service improvement purposes only), you can simply opt out. Plus, you can get a subscription with a dedicated IP address. Essentially, it means that you get an IP address that’s not shared with other users, so you get secure access to business servers, avoid being blocklisted, and evade CAPTCHA authentication.

Features. NordVPN has a functional kill switch to prevent your data from leaking. There’s also the Threat Protection Pro feature to prevent malware and intrusive ads or trackers.

Streaming. NordVPN is a great choice if you live in the UK but want to watch content from abroad. During my tests, I managed to unblock global streaming services like Netflix US (and other libraries), Hulu, HBO, Amazon Prime Video, Max, RTE and many more. NordVPN also has Smart DNS, which lets you stream content on devices that don’t support VPNs. Speaking of devices, NordVPN is compatible with a UK-popular Amazon Firestick, as well as others, including PlayStation, Xbox, Chromecast and more.

Speeds. During my tests, NordVPN retained 90% of initial internet speeds on average. Part of it is thanks to its proprietary Nordlynx tunnelling protocol as well as its massive server fleet.

You can get a 7-day free NordVPN trial for Android devices. NordVPN is available for just £2.69/month, with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

To find out more, check out our full NordVPN review.

2. Surfshark – affordable VPN for multiple devices

Surfshark banner
Servers/countries:3200+ servers in 100 countries
Simultaneous connections:Unlimited
Streaming services unblocked:Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and more

Surfshark is a cheap VPN for UK citizens at home and while travelling. For only £1.69/month, you can enjoy remarkable speeds and complete privacy while browsing in the UK. Plus, you get to choose from 3200+ global servers across 100 countries.

Privacy. Surfshark’s audited no-logs policy claims it keeps none of the data related to your browsing activities, IP address, or other information. It does collect information that helps improve its services, but it’s the same as with NordVPN – you can opt out. Surfshark also offers dedicated IP addresses for its servers in London and other global locations. It costs extra, but it adds a layer of security and prevents others from abusing your IP address.

Features. Surfshark’s kill switch is a reliable addition to prevent data leaks. There’s also the CleanWeb ad blocker that helps prevent malicious content getting into your device. During my tests, the ad blocker removed even the most intrusive ads.

Streaming. Like NordVPN, Surfshark uses the Smart DNS feature. You can use it for streaming on devices that don’t support VPNs, such as Smart TVs. You can use Surfshark to change regions on Netflix, unblock RTE, Hulu, HBO Max, Disney Plus and many other platforms worldwide. It works well with popular streaming devices, including Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, Android TV and more.

Speeds. Surfshark uses the famously fast WireGuard protocol, which explains why our tests showed an excellent average speed retention rate of 86%. It’s on par with NordVPN and UK users won’t have to worry about a slow internet connection whichever provider of these two they choose.

Surfshark prices start at £1.69/month and you can try it out with a 7-day free trial on iOS and Android devices. There’s also a 30-day money-back guarantee available.

To find out more, take a look at our in-depth Surshark VPN review or contrast it in our Surfshark vs NordVPN comparison.

3. IPVanish – great VPN service for privacy and security in the UK

IPVanish banner
Servers/countries:2400+ servers in 100 countries
Simultaneous connections:Unlimited
Streaming services unblocked:Netflix, BBC iPlayer, YouTube, Disney+, and more

IPVanish will benefit UK users who prioritise security and privacy. It maintains a strict no-logs policy and has plenty of advanced security features. Moreover, IPVanish offers 2400 servers in 100 countries, providing rather wide global coverage.

Privacy. The privacy policy of IPVanish clearly states that it logs zero information. To prove that, this provider undergoes external audits that verify the integrity of their commitment to user privacy.

Features. I tested IPVanish’s kill switch feature and it leaked no data whatsoever. This ensures you stay private even if your VPN suddenly disconnects. Additionally, you get the Threat Protection feature that shields you from online trackers and blocks unwanted ads.

Streaming. IPVanish can unblock multiple Netflix libraries (with small issues accessing European content), Disney Plus, Max, RTE and other major streaming services. It has apps for Amazon Fire devices, like Fire TV and Fire Stick. However, IPVanish doesn’t support a smart DNS feature, which allows you to stream content faster.

Speeds. IPVanish uses the WireGuard protocol, which is part of the reason it’s still one of the speediest VPNs on the market. When testing performance, it managed to retain an average of 80% of the baseline internet speeds.

IPVanish is refreshingly affordable – the plans start at around £1.71/month. You also get a 30-day money-back guarantee.

4. ExpressVPN – security-focused VPN for UK citizens

ExpressVPN banner new
Servers/countries:Undisclosed number of servers in 105 countries
Simultaneous connections:8
Streaming services unblocked:Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more

ExpressVPN is a safe UK VPN alternative that guarantees privacy and lets you stream content on various devices. It doesn’t lack in terms of security, and you’ll find servers across 105 countries.

Privacy. ExpressVPN’s privacy policy states that they collect zero logs regarding your online activities. While they collect some usage information for service improvement, you have a choice to opt out. Although this provider doesn’t offer dedicated IPs, there are other privacy features, such as private DNS to make your connection safer and faster.

Features. Like all trustworthy VPN services, ExpressVPN has a kill switch that will prevent your data from leaking. Additionally, you get a threat manager – there will be no more trackers or malicious activity bothering you.

Streaming. ExpressVPN can unblock everything from Netflix and Hulu to Prime Video and HBO Max. During my tests, VPN usage was detected and some Netflix libraries didn’t load all titles. However, once it loaded, I was able to watch content in HD quality without any buffering. There’s even Smart DNS, or the MediaStreamer, available, letting you stream content on devices that don’t allow VPN connections.

Speeds. This VPN uses a modern and proprietary version of the WireGuard protocol called Lightway. ExpressVPN is as fast as market leaders like NordVPN and Surfshark. During my tests, it managed to retain an average of 77% of the baseline speeds. That’s more than enough not only for browsing but streaming or torrenting as well.

ExpressVPN is a bit pricier, with plans starting from £5.48/month. It also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

To find out more, read our in-depth ExpressVPN review or size it up against the best in the NordVPN vs ExpressVPN comparison.

5. CyberGhost – fast VPN suitable for streaming

CyberGhost VPN banner new
Servers/countries:11500+ servers in 100 countries
Simultaneous connections:7
Streaming services unblocked:Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+

If you want a VPN that combines impressive security with great global server coverage, CyberGhost might be the perfect solution for you. It operates a strict no-logs policy and has 11500 servers in 100 countries worldwide.

Privacy. When reading CyberGhost’s privacy policy, I noted that it doesn’t keep any logs regarding your online activities. Plus, the policy has been audited. Additionally, this VPN provider offers dedicated IP addresses for the UK that you can purchase on top of your CyberGhost subscription.

Features. The CyberGhost’s ad blocker doesn’t just stop intrusive ads – it also prevents malicious content from infecting your device. A kill switch is also available, as are very secure NoSpy servers, managed by CyberGhost itself.

Streaming. CyberGhost provides specialised servers for streaming. After trying a couple of times, although with some hiccups, I was able to access the US Netflix, Irish RTE, Hulu and others. So, despite having dedicated servers, CyberGhost may not be the best option for streaming.

Speeds. I tested CyberGhost’s speeds using the WireGuard protocol. The results proved that it’s a fast UK VPN with enough speeds for data-consuming activities and casual browsing. CyberGhost retained an average of 86% of initial speeds, which is a bit slower than our top providers but should be enough for a seamless streaming experience. The best part about this provider is that it offers the largest server fleet on this list. This is especially important if you want to avoid traffic congestion and IPs that some websites may have already blocked.

CyberGhost prices start from £1.92/month. There’s a generous 45-day money-back guarantee in case you change your mind as well.

For more information, read our in-depth CyberGhost VPN review.

Best UK VPNs compared

There are many VPN providers in the UK that are packed with great features. Here, you’ll find a table that contains all the information you need to know about each provider, including VPN price comparison, rating, server count and whether they offer a free trial.


RatingServers/countriesFree trialPrice
NordVPN
4.9
7200+ servers in 118 countries✅ Yes, 7-day£2.69/month
Surfshark
4.7
3200+ servers in 100 countries✅ Yes, 7-day£1.69/month
IPVanish
4.5
2400+ servers in 100 countries✅ Yes, 7-day for iOS mobile devices and Android devices~ £1.71/month
ExpressVPN
4.3
Undisclosed number of servers in 105 countries✅ Yes, 7-day£5.48/month
CyberGhost
4.2
11500+ servers in 100 countries✅ Yes, 1-day on a desktop, 3-day on Android, and 7-day on iOS£1.92/month

How we selected and tested these VPNs

Our team of experts and I performed various tests for dozens of VPNs and ranked the best ones based on various factors. Here are all the things we took into consideration when ranking the best VPNs for the UK:

  • Privacy policy. I read privacy policies of each VPN provider and only included those that clearly state they don’t log data related to your browsing activities or IP address. Even better if the policy has been independently audited.
  • Servers worldwide. We researched how many servers each VPN has around the globe. While some VPNs don’t disclose such information, we looked for wide country coverage.
  • Security. If your VPN connection ends up dropping, your VPN should ensure security precautions. Thus, all of the VPNs on my list include a functional and reliable kill switch.
  • Streaming. Some people need a VPN for streaming purposes only. For such a reason, I included VPNs that are also able to bypass geo-restrictions on various streaming platforms. We tested all of these VPNs on different Netflix libraries, Amazon Prime Video, Max, Hulu, Disney Plus and other popular streaming providers worldwide.
  • Speeds. We tested the speeds of each service to find which VPNs are the best for UK citizens.
  • Price. As with any long-term subscription, price is a critical factor. This is why we only chose VPNs with optimal price-to-quality ratios.

What's the cheapest UK VPN?

If you're looking for an affordable UK VPN, IvacyVPN is a solid option. It costs $3.39 (~£0.91) per month and comes with benefits that rival the best VPNs on the market.

For instance, IvacyVPN has a large server fleet that covers 55 countries worldwide. The fairly wide server coverage will help you unblock content in any region, guaranteeing fast connection speeds and no lag.

However, the cheapest option does not necessarily mean it is a good VPN. That’s why I recommend focusing on privacy first, and recommend NordVPN, as well as other VPNs on my list.

Which VPN is the fastest in the UK?

A speedy VPN can help have a buffering-free experience while streaming geo-restricted content. Plus, if privacy and security are your main concerns, you won’t have to compromise speeds because of it.

Our tests showed that NordVPN and Surfshark are the fastest VPNs on the market. Below are the results of testing both providers when connected to US, Australian, and UK servers with the WireGuard protocol in the last 14 days.

Data period: 01.25 - 02.08
Download retention
US (NY) US (NY)
93% (467 Mbit/s) 96% (482 Mbit/s)
Australia Australia
88% (443 Mbit/s) 86% (433 Mbit/s)
United Kingdom United Kingdom
94% (473 Mbit/s) 93% (467 Mbit/s)
Upload retention
US (NY) US (NY)
92% (462 Mbit/s) 79% (399 Mbit/s)
Australia Australia
53% (268 Mbit/s) 25% (127 Mbit/s)
United Kingdom United Kingdom
92% (461 Mbit/s) 84% (424 Mbit/s)
Download/Upload baseline speed - 500 Mbit/s

In your personal experience, the results may slightly differ depending on your location and your internet speed. Also, you should keep in mind that performance depends on the tunnelling protocol you use. So always opt for one of the fastest – WireGuard – protocol.

Conclusion

Getting a reliable VPN for the UK is a must considering the country isn’t privacy-conscious. It belongs to the global surveillance alliance and requires ISPs to collect your data. A VPN can encrypt your information, making your data unreadable to any third party.

Additionally, a VPN can be a useful tool for unblocking streaming services that are unavailable in the UK. It’s also good for accessing geo-restricted content libraries, such as those on Netflix, Disney Plus or other platforms.

My top suggestion for UK residents at home or travelling abroad is NordVPN. It provides you with 7200 servers across 118 countries, complete privacy, and features for streaming and advanced security.

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