A VPN routes your traffic through an encrypted tunnel to a server controlled by the VPN provider. This improves your privacy, bypasses censorship, and grants access to region-locked streaming content. Anyone looking for the protection of a VPN in the United Kingdom is spoiled for choice, as all the biggest players maintain a large presence there. Here, we’re choosing from our top-rated VPNs by their apparent presence in the UK—including the number of physical or virtual servers, where they’re available, and by score when server counts aren’t available. We give special preference to HMA since it’s a UK-based company. We’re also including IPVanish because of its large UK presence. (Note: IPVanish is owned by Ziff Davis, PCMag.com’s parent company. For more, see the ethics policy in our Editorial Mission Statement.) Read on for our top picks, followed by everything you need to know about selecting and using a VPN in the UK.
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Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
Pros & Cons
The best free VPN subscription
Numerous advanced privacy tools
Strong customer privacy stance
Slick, accessible client
Excellent speed test scores
Awkward ChromeOS implementation
Specs & Configurations
Simultaneous VPN Connections
10
Server Locations
67 countries
Geographically Diverse Servers
Free Version Data Limit
Unlimited
Why We Picked It
Proton VPN provides over 60 servers in the UK. It also offers multi-hop connections to the UK via Switzerland and Iceland. Although it has fewer servers overall and in the UK than competitors, Proton VPN deftly balances advanced features, approachable design, and cost. It’s our highest-rated VPN and our top choice for free VPNs. Note, however, that Proton VPN does not offer free servers in the UK.
Who It’s For
Proton VPN earned our highest score because we believe it works well for the most people. It’s one of only two VPNs to offer split tunneling, multi-hop, and access to Tor via VPN. It has a growing worldwide server presence that isn’t the largest but is flexible enough to meet most people’s needs. A new redesign has made this app more approachable than ever, and it’s nearly dead-on for the industry average monthly subscription price.
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Proton VPN Review
Best for Premium Features
NordVPN
Pros & Cons
Multi-hop, split tunneling, and Tor connections
Excellent design
Traffic routing and file-sharing with Meshnet
Built-in antivirus tools
Expensive
Lackluster malware-blocking results
Limited utility of free Meshnet traffic routing
Specs & Configurations
Simultaneous VPN Connections
6
Server Locations
111 Countries
Geographically Diverse Servers
Free Version Data Limit
No Free Version
Why We Picked It
NordVPN is a veritable juggernaut in the world of VPNs, and thanks to a Super Bowl appearance and other ads, it probably has the most name recognition. It’s not all marketing, though. NordVPN is one of only two VPNs to offer split tunneling, multi-hop connections, and access to Tor by VPN. It also boasts more than 400 servers in the UK, giving you a lot of options to find a server that works for whatever you need.
Who It’s For
NordVPN is for users who like to take a kitchen-sink approach to security, as it offers a little bit of everything. It has a strong suite of privacy tools, and has started to expand with antivirus and separate encrypted file storage and password management services.
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NordVPN Review
Best for Protecting Many Devices
Surfshark VPN
Pros & Cons
Unlimited simultaneous connections
Large global server presence
Multi-hop and split tunneling tools
Intriguing potential in Surfshark Nexus
High monthly price
Some issues with IP rotator feature in testing
Privacy policy needs clarification
Specs & Configurations
Simultaneous VPN Connections
Unlimited
Server Locations
100 Countries
Geographically Diverse Servers
Free Version Data Limit
No Free Version
Why We Picked It
Surfshark VPN comes in just behind NordVPN with almost 400 total servers in the UK, spread out across Edinburgh, Glasgow, London, and Manchester. That gives you a lot of chances to find a server that will work for whatever you need. Surfshark VPN also boasts split tunneling and multi-hop connections. Where it really stands out, however, is in placing no limits on simultaneous connections—most competitors only allow five connections per account.
Who It’s For
Although it has a pretty good selection of features, Surfshark VPN’s real attraction is its lack of limit on simultaneous connections. If you have a large family where everyone has their own tablets, computers, and smartphones, Surfshark VPN is a strong choice because one subscription will cover all those devices.
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Surfshark VPN Review
Best for First-Time VPN Users
TunnelBear VPN
Pros & Cons
Unlimited simultaneous connections
Excellent privacy policies
Annual independent audits
Friendly, approachable design (with bears!)
No multi-hop connections
Split tunneling not available on all platforms
Data limit on free subscription
Specs & Configurations
Simultaneous VPN Connections
Unlimited
Server Locations
23 Countries
Geographically Diverse Servers
Free Version Data Limit
500MB – 1.5GB Per Month
Why We Picked It
TunnelBear VPN provides servers in the UK but does not publish their numbers or locations. That’s disappointing, but TunnelBear VPN is still an overall great choice. Its monthly subscription fee is almost precisely average, and its friendly, whimsical approach to design is a breath of fresh air. Don’t assume that it’s a privacy pushover just because this service goes all-in on its bear mascots. TunnelBear VPN has one of the industry’s longest-running annual audit programs and offers its customers strong privacy protections. It also offers its UK servers to free subscribers.
Who It’s For
With its funny, friendly design, we recommend TunnelBear VPN to first-time buyers or anyone unfamiliar with VPNs. It lacks some of the features and controls found among competitors but comes close to being a set-and-forget product. It also offers a limited free subscription, so you can try out TunnelBear VPN to see if it works for you.
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TunnelBear VPN Review
Best for World Travelers
ExpressVPN
Pros & Cons
Large, diversely distributed fleet of servers
Strong privacy and security practices
Split tunneling
Stylish interface
Expensive compared with VPNs with similar feature sets
No multi-hop connections
Specs & Configurations
Simultaneous VPN Connections
5
Server Locations
105 Countries
Geographically Diverse Servers
Free Version Data Limit
No Free Version
Why We Picked It
ExpressVPN hosts servers in London, the Docklands, East London, and Wembley. Unfortunately, the company does not list the number of servers it provides in the UK, only its locations. However, it makes our list of the best VPNs for the UK because it offers many server locations and doesn’t use virtual locations for most of its fleet. It also boasts a snazzy design and uses tamper-resistant RAM-only servers.
Who It’s For
With servers in 94 countries, Express VPN is our go-to recommendation for world travelers. When you’re gallivanting across the globe, you want a VPN server that’s physically near to you for the best performance. ExpressVPN does use some virtual locations, but its fleet is primarily located where you’d expect them to be.
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ExpressVPN Review
Best for a Domestic UK Option
HMA VPN
Pros & Cons
Friendly, simple interface
Exceptional upload speed test results
Wide global distribution of servers
Handy IP shuffler
Lacks multi-hop connections and split tunneling on some platforms
Middling total server count
Bare-bones iOS version
Specs & Configurations
Simultaneous VPN Connections
5
Server Locations
190 Countries
Geographically Diverse Servers
Free Version Data Limit
No Free Version
Why We Picked It
We put HMA at the top of our list because it’s based in the UK. That doesn’t mean it has the best performance or the most servers in the region, but if people want a UK-based option, this is the one. Beyond its hometown status, HMA VPN has a lot to offer. Its cheeky donkey-centric style is all its own, and it has one of the most approachable app designs in the industry. Most impressively, it has more global server locations than any other VPN we’ve reviewed, covering 190 countries. There’s a catch, however: A startlingly high number of HMA’s location options are virtual locations, which means that the servers are physically located somewhere other than the IP address they provide. The site does a pretty good job of identifying them, which is helpful for users, but the app could use some clarity.
Who It’s For
This venerable VPN is a good choice for anyone who wants a UK-based service, or a service with enormous flexibility about server locations (with the caveat mentioned above). It’s also very easy to use, making it a good choice for those unfamiliar with VPNs. A homegrown UK VPN might come with some privacy caveats, but any reader insisting on a UK-based option should pick HMA.
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HMA VPN Review
Best for Large Families on a Budget
IPVanish VPN
Pros & Cons
Unlimited simultaneous connections
Good geographic diversity of servers
Transparent privacy policy
Small impact on throughput speeds in our testing
Expensive
Free trial only offered on annual plans via mobile app stores
Specs & Configurations
Simultaneous VPN Connections
Unlimited
Server Locations
52 Countries
Geographically Diverse Servers
Free Version Data Limit
No Free Version
Why We Picked It
IPVanish VPN boasts over 100 servers in the UK. Having that many servers gives you plenty of choices to find one that works for you. And like Surfshark VPN, IPVanish VPN is one of the very few services that doesn’t limit the number of devices you can connect simultaneously.
Who It’s For
IPVanish VPN lets you connect as many devices as you like, while most companies limit you to just five simultaneous connections (except Surfshark). This lets you easily protect a whole household, or just a lot of devices. IPVanish is also a bit cheaper than Surfshark, which might be better for families on a budget. We were also pleasantly surprised by the breadth of IPVanish’s customization options, making it a good choice for a network tinkerer.(Note: IPVanish is owned by Ziff Davis, PCMag.com’s parent company. For more, see the ethics policy in our Editorial Mission Statement.)
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IPVanish VPN Review
Best for Power Users
Private Internet Access VPN
Pros & Cons
Unlimited simultaneous connections
Split tunneling and multi-hop
Numerous server locations
Completed third-party audit
Expensive
No free version
Specs & Configurations
Simultaneous VPN Connections
Unlimited
Server Locations
84 Countries
Geographically Diverse Servers
Free Version Data Limit
No Free Version
Why We Picked It
Private Internet Access VPN provides VPN servers in London, Manchester, and Southampton, but does not provide information on how many servers are available in the UK. What makes Private Internet Access stand apart is its customizability, which lets you control how the app looks and a host of ways to tinker with the VPN connection. The company also offers 10 simultaneous connections—double our average.
Who It’s For
Private Internet Access VPN’s wealth of tools appeals to anyone who wants to control exactly how their VPN works. For example, it lets you configure a multi-hop connection through a proxy of your choice. While network tinkerers will appreciate Private Internet Access VPN’s tools the most, it’s designed well enough that a novice can comfortably use its features.
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Private Internet Access VPN Review
Best for Cheap Privacy Protection
Mullvad VPN
Pros & Cons
Affordable
Requires no email or account information
Radically transparent
Multi-hop, split tunneling, and port forwarding
Awkward desktop interface
Servers in a small range of countries
Pay-as-you-go system may confuse some customers
Specs & Configurations
Simultaneous VPN Connections
5
Server Locations
38 Countries
Geographically Diverse Servers
Free Version Data Limit
No Free Version
Why We Picked It
Mullvad VPN has 60 servers in the UK, with 27 in Manchester and 33 in London. Thanks to the company’s radical stance on transparency, we know that Mullvad VPN owns 15 of its London servers outright. Mullvad also provides welcome features like split tunneling and multi-hop connections and uses a unique password-less account number system that helps anonymize its customers. Best of all, it costs only 5 euros per month, and you can pay that in cash if you wish to keep your transaction completely private.
Who It’s For
Mullvad VPN doesn’t have the most servers, the best app, or even the most features. What it does offer is unparalleled privacy protection at an unbeatable price. If you want the service that is doing the utmost to protect its customers’ privacy at any cost (except money), it’s Mullvad.
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Mullvad VPN Review
Best Server Selection
Windscribe VPN
Pros & Cons
Industry-leading company transparency and communication
Large number of payment options
Best free plan of any VPN we’ve tested
Helpful AI support bot
Open Netflix access in all regions benchmarked
Unlimited number of simultaneous connections and devices
Anonymous signup allowed
Specs & Configurations
Simultaneous VPN Connections
Unlimited
Server Locations
69 Countries
Geographically Diverse Servers
Free Version Data Limit
10GB Per Month
Why We Picked It
Windscribe has the most high-performance UK-based servers of all the services we tested, each offering 10Gbps of bandwidth in some of the country’s most populated areas. Add to that a stellar privacy record (and some cheeky names for its UK servers like Biscuits), and you’ve got a top option for a VPN in the UK.
Who It’s For
Windscribe is best for people who want high-performance servers, and more preferably, those who live in high-density population centers. However, Windscribe doesn’t offer the broadest coverage to some of the more remote regions of the UK, so if that’s where you live, you might want to consider other options on this list with larger server fleets.
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Windscribe VPN Review
Best for Short-Term VPN Subscriptions
IVPN
Pros & Cons
Flexible, affordable pricing
Powerful multi-hop system
Privacy is baked into its account system
Strong stance on transparency
Offers few server locations
Multi-hop and account ID features might confuse some
Specs & Configurations
Simultaneous VPN Connections
7
Server Locations
32 Countries
Geographically Diverse Servers
Free Version Data Limit
No Free Version
Why We Picked It
IVPN uses a privacy-protecting account number system similar to Mullvad VPN and likewise has a strong commitment to privacy. Along with Mullvad VPN, it’s one of the only VPNs that allows payments made in cash. What makes IVPN stand apart is that it allows for very short subscription periods at low costs—as little as $2 a week. It’s an excellent marriage of privacy and flexibility.
Who It’s For
IVPN appeals to the same privacy-conscious crowd as Mullvad VPN, although it has retained the ease of subscription payments. The flexibility of IVPN’s billing makes it a good choice for people who only want a VPN for a short time, such as while on vacation or streaming a particular event.
Buying Guide: The Best VPNs for the UK in 2024
What’s the Best Free VPN for the UK?Free VPNs are tricky because, while there are many sketchy ones out there, a few are worth your time. Of the VPN services in this list, only two offer truly free subscription options, but both have some limitations.Windscribe is an excellent, transparent VPN service that’s built around ease of use and, perhaps more loftily, changing the way the entire VPN industry operates. Free subscribers to Windscribe can access any of its servers, including three 10Gbps servers—two in London and one in Manchester. The only catch here is the 10GB traffic limit if you sign up with an email, 2GB without.Proton VPN is our highest-rated VPN and our pick for the best free VPN because it’s one of the very few VPNs that doesn’t place a data limit on its free subscribers. However, Proton VPN does limit free users to just three server locations in Japan, the Netherlands, and the US. If you want to access UK servers, you’ll have to pay.Although they’re not free, two of the choices on this list are notably affordable. Mullvad VPN costs just 5 euros per month ($5.36 as of this writing) and IVPN’s flexible pricing starts at $2 per week.
How a VPN Works
What’s the Best UK VPN for Netflix, BBC, and TV?Odds are, most of our readers use VPNs to access region-locked streaming content. An example might be tunneling into a different country to access Netflix movies and shows that aren’t available with a US subscription. This likely breaks the terms of service for some streaming platforms, so be aware.The UK is a particularly interesting target for streaming unlockers because of the BBC iPlayer. Thanks to the advent of streaming video services, watching BBC shows outside of the UK is easier than ever, but the ability to use iPlayer is still a much sought-after feature. With access to iPlayer, you can watch just about any BBC program, for free. If you’re not a UK resident, using the iPlayer definitely breaks the BBC’s terms of service, however.Many VPNs will include a custom streaming server specifically built to get around what has historically been one of the toughest streaming blocks in the industry to circumvent. We connect to these options each time we test Netflix in the region and have yet to see a bad result. However, iPlayer is not currently a part of our VPN testing.For streaming video, having more servers is usually better. If you find that one server doesn’t work, jumping to another may do the trick. How to Pick a VPN Server in the UKChoosing a server within your VPN is often blind luck. You just have to start and stop the VPN repeatedly until you find one that works, assuming any do. Some VPNs make finding the right server for streaming a little easier. A few have specially marked streaming servers, which are usually accessed from the server selection menu. Other VPNs have a more fine-grained approach, letting you select a server among all those available in a given region. The best VPNs show the load on each server, so you can avoid an overcrowded one. If you’re not within the UK, or very close to it, tunneling to a UK-based VPN server will degrade your internet performance. That degradation is likely to get worse the farther away you are from the server. At PCMag, we use US-based VPN servers for all our speed tests. That’s because the bulk of our readership is in the US. As such, we can only provide evaluations of VPN performance when connected to a US-based server located in New York, New York. Performance in the UK, and especially connecting to servers in the UK from other countries, will be different.
Recommended by Our Editors
If you’d like to find out more about our testing practices, check out how we test VPNs. The chart below has the most recent speed test results from all the providers we cover:
What’s the Best VPN for the UK?In terms of privacy, there’s a strong argument to be made for using a VPN domestically. This is especially true in the UK. For one thing, UK intelligence and law enforcement have robust surveillance capabilities, similar to the US (in practice if not in scope). For another, the UK has previously attempted to limit online access to certain content—and by that, we mean pornography. This effort failed.A VPN can help protect your privacy and grant access to content under stricter control. However, we haven’t tested the ability of any of the VPNs in this list against the specific challenges of the UK internet. Also, while a VPN does a lot to protect your privacy, it may not be able to stand up against the range of tools available to a well-funded state actor.Speaking of limitations, whatever VPN you choose will not protect against every ill. We highly recommend using local antivirus software, creating unique passwords for every site and service with a password manager, and enabling multi-factor authentication wherever it’s available. Max Eddy contributed to this article.
