Whether you live in Britain or are just traveling there, the best UK VPN is an essential app to protect your devices and stream your favorite British shows.
After 3,000 hours of device testing, 28,000 speed tests, and over 2,200 streaming tests on over 100 reviews of the best VPN services, I've brought the best VPNs for the UK together. With plenty of servers to pick from around the country, NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark lead the pack with easy-to-use apps and super-fast servers in the UK.
Keep reading to see how their features, speeds, stream unblocking, and prices compare—so you can get the VPN that suits you best.
Top three best UK VPNs at glance
Recent updates
In one of the biggest shake-ups of the past few years, NordVPN has claimed the top spot thanks to its impeccable track record for streaming, speed, security, and savings. Plus, with more servers in the UK than most other leading VPNs, there are even more reasons to sign up. For more information, check out my latest VPN testing data for more information
The best UK VPNs in 2024
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Let's take a deeper look at the best VPN apps in the UK.
The best overall UK VPN
✔️ You want super-fast speeds: NordVPN is quick and reliable, making it a great pick for smooth streaming, torrenting, or gaming.
✔️ You're a massive Netflix fan: check out what's new across all of Netflix's international libraries with NordVPN—all it takes is a little server hopping.
✔️ You want customizable plans: NordVPN lets you pick and choose add-ons, ensuring you only ever pay for the stuff you'll use.
❌ Simplicity is everything: NordVPN's apps aren't terrible, but navigating them isn't as intuitive as it could be. Ultimately, Surfshark has it beat.
🔒 NordVPN has a great package of advanced features and strong security, making it a reliable choice for anyone in and out of the UK. See for yourself why it's the best UK VPN with a 30-day money-back guarantee
NordVPN is hands-down the best VPN for the UK, thanks to its wealth of British servers, amazing apps, and unbeatable track record for performance. Plus, with tailored pricing plans, you don't pay extra for features you don't need.
It's also one of the fastest VPN services around, with a peak speed of over 950 Mbps in my latest round of tests. Because of this, it's ideal for both gaming online and streaming in 4k, unblocking every streaming service I tried in the UK. You can watch BBC iPlayer, Sky Go, Channel 4, and ITVX when traveling, or even access geo-restricted content.
▶ Try NordVPN with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
What's more, Nord's Meshnet feature even provides a solution to password-sharing bans as it allows different devices to use the same IP address without being physically present in the same location. It's a great alternative to paying extra for dedicated IPs, and can even help you get more out of your 10 simultaneous connections by letting you connect up to 60 different devices together at once.
NordVPN has an impressive network of servers, too, with 6,000 across 111 countries. That gives you tons of choice when it comes to unlocking geo-restricted streaming content, and means you'll be able to evade instances of censorship, too. It's also great to see that NordVPN is compatible with just about every gadget out there. There's an app for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS, and the VPN is even compatible with smart TVs.
As you'd expect from my #1 VPN overall, NordVPN doesn't pull any punches when it comes to security. Two kill switches ensure that you don't leak personal data in the event of a VPN dropout, double data encryption has your back during your day-to-day browsing sessions, and P2P support is a massive plus for torrenters. To round things off, NordVPN stands by a sturdy no-logs policy that outlines, quite clearly, that the VPN has no interest in collecting identifiable data. It's just what I like to see.
The good news is that you don't have to take my word for it. NordVPN's 30-day money-back guarantee gives you a month to put the provider through its paces before deciding to commit to a subscription. If you do stick with NordVPN, I'd recommend going for one of the multi-year offers to save some serious cash in the long term.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | A fun design that can be a little busy for some people | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Excellent automation and easy to use, but a little inconvenient for advanced configurations | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | The fastest VPN in our latest round of tests | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Perfect for Netflix and other streaming sites | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Industry-standard protection and a mission to keep people safe on an open internet | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Friendly, supportive and professional | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Fantastic value for money and customizable pricing | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
The best UK VPN for beginners
✔️You appreciate usability: excellent customer support and user-friendly interface is what you'll get when signing up.
✔️ You value accessing geo-restricted content: from streaming platforms to just any other blocked content, ExpressVPN's consistent and reliable unblocking capabilities make it an ideal choice.
✔️ If you use split tunneling: it routes necessary VPN traffic while sending other traffic directly to the internet, improving internet speed for streaming, and gaming.
❌ Price is a significant factor for you: if you are on a tight budget, we suggest getting Surfshark instead.
❌ You require many simultaneous connections: while up to 8 may be more than enough for most users, Surfshark boasts an unlimited devices allowance.
❌ You require specialized VPN features: we recommend Nord for options that are not offered by ExpressVPN.
🔒 ExpressVPN is an excellent choice for UK users who prioritize reliable performance, privacy and security, a vast server network, and user-friendly apps.
ExpressVPN may not hold the top spot anymore, but it's a more-than-capable VPN service that makes streaming British shows a breeze. With its one-click connection, it automates all the configurations most other services would have you do manually—giving you a reliable connection you can stake your life on.
In terms of security features, Express boasts industry-standard 256-bit encryption, along with its very own Lightway protocol (which comes with post-quantum protection), and a ton of strong options like its ultra-reliable kill switch and Threat Manager DNS blocker. You also get split tunneling, which allows you to choose which programs utilize the VPN and which don't at any one time. I usually use split tunneling to prevent Android Auto from running through the VPN and make sure my maps and music still work as needed.
► Try ExpressVPN with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
With over 3,000 servers across 105 countries, ExpressVPN also offers a wide range of easy-to-use apps for all the main operating systems—including on your Xbox and PlayStation consoles. If you're looking to protect all the devices at home at ease, you can even opt for its router with built-in VPN Aircove.
Trying to watch British TV shows from overseas? ExpressVPN easily unblocks most geo-restricted streaming services, including UK favorites such as BBC iPlayer, ITVX, and Channel 4. That's in addition to biggies like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, YouTube, and plenty more. If you're on the other side of the world and fancy catching up on Corrie or just want to check in on UK news sites, ExpressVPN won't disappoint.
It's also worth mentioning that, despite still not being the fastest VPN around, its peak speeds sit around 410 Mbps with Lightway last time we checked. But don't worry, that's still more than 15 times what you need to stream in 4K
If you're not sure, there's a generous 30-day money-back guarantee so you can trial the service risk-free for a month. And, if you're looking for a hefty saving, follow the link on this page to enjoy a taste deal available for TechRadar's readers only...
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | A clean and simple design that gives you everything you need, exactly when you need it | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Intuitive apps with auto-connect functionality make life easier | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | Fast enough for anything you could throw at it, but slower than NordVPN and Surfshark | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Effortlessly gives you access to content around the world | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Express offers military-grade protection for total peace of mind | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Always available, friendly, and helpful | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | More expensive than leading competitors | ⭐⭐⭐ |
The best cheap UK VPN service
✔️ You value affordability: Surfshark is a great cost-effective VPN solution that doesn't compromise on features and performance.
✔️ You're after a security suite: alongside its VPN service, Surfshark One plans also include data leak detection, a private search engine, and antivirus software
✔️ You need to protect your whole household: Surfshark offers unlimited device connections with just one subscription.
❌ You need a torrenting VPN: despite Surfshark being more than capable, we found ExpressVPN P2P connections to be more reliable.
❌ You need an iPhone VPN: Surfshark excels on Windows, Android, Mac, and Linux, but its iOS apps are an acquired taste.
🔒 Surfshark is a solid choice for anyone in the UK looking for a cheap, reliable, and privacy-focused VPN to secure as many devices as you can throw at it.
Unlike most cheap services, Surfshark is a feature-packed VPN for the UK that offers outstanding value for money. With built-in ad blocking and antivirus, you can cut the cost of other services by getting everything in a single cost-effective bundle.
With unlimited simultaneous connections and excellent dedicated IPs, you can avoid household detection on streaming services by connecting any device through the same address. That makes it perfect for password sharing families that don't want to pay more than they have to.
▶ Try Surfshark with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
In terms of security features, it includes a kill switch, OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2 support, AES-256-GCM encryption, DNS protection, split tunneling, and even an extra protection layer with a Double VPN hop.
It's worth noting, though, that we experienced some kill switch issues last time we checked. However, these occur only in extreme situations and on Windows.
Unlike more vague wording from other VPNs, Surfshark proudly states its ability to unblock foreign Netflix libraries, including countries like the UK, US, France, Japan, and Australia. Brits can also unblock BBC iPlayer from abroad, not to mention Disney Plus and Prime Video.
Also this time, Surfshark confirms itself as one of the fastest VPNs around reaching peaks of over 950 Mbps when connected to WireGuard. Its speeds were below average when used with the OpenVPN protocol, though.
Looking for a more complete security package? Surfshark One with its newly added Alternative ID tool is ideal to secure your digital life on all fronts. Plus, if you want to secure all of your devices, you'll be happy to know you get unlimited connections with just one subscription.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | A clean interface that feels intuitive and elegant | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Connecting only takes a few clicks—ideal for newbies | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | One of the fastest providers around | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Unblocks virtually everything you'll need | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Some kill switch issues under extreme stress testing | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Browsing support articles isn't as intuitive as I'd like | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Real value for money | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Other UK VPNs I've tested and recommend
