If you want to protect yourself from cyberthreats, increase your privacy, and stream content that would otherwise be geo-blocked, then you definitely need a VPN. A VPN (virtual private network) is the most cost-effective way to stay safe and anonymous online whilst also improving your overall online experience. Keep reading to explore some of the main benefits of using a VPN and discover the best VPNs for the UK in 2023.
Top tip – You can use a VPN in (almost) any country in the world! Discover the best VPNs for other countries such as Russia, Turkey, and Hungary!
The best VPNs for the UK in 2023 quick guide
- CyberGhost – Best overall choice
- ExpressVPN – Premium
- PIA – Robust security
| VPN Provider | Rating | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|
| CyberGhost | Best value for money | Get CyberGhost | |
| ExpressVPN | Premium VPN | Get ExpressVPN | |
| Private Internet Access | Great VPN, good value | Get PIA VPN |
Why do I need a VPN in the UK?
Not sure whether a VPN is worth all the hype? Here are a few of the top benefits of using a VPN in the UK:
Bypass geo-restrictions
Have you ever clicked on an interesting-looking YouTube video only to be greeted with a “This video is unavailable in your country” message? Or traveled to another country to discover that your Netflix library is now completely unrecognisable? This is all due to geo-restrictions. Geo-restrictions (or geo-blocking) refer to when certain content is blocked from users based on their geographical location.
Using a VPN, you can bypass geo-blocking and access all content from around the world without ever needing to leave the UK. You can even check out Netflix’s exclusive libraries for each country and stream as much content as you want without any restrictions. This also means that when you travel abroad you can still watch content from UK-only streaming services such as BBC iPlayer, All 4, and NowTV.
Increase online security
Nowadays the Internet is full of hackers, malware, and other dangers. These cyber-threats can massively disrupt your life by infecting your device, attacking your server, stealing your identity, and even draining your bank accounts. Cyber threats are extremely common in the UK and in 2021 alone there was a reported loss of £2.5Bn due to fraud and cybercrime.
A VPN can drastically reduce your risk of falling victim to cyber threats by encrypting your traffic, making it indecipherable to ill-intentioned strangers. When protected by a VPN, you can safely enjoy browsing the web on both your home network and public WiFi networks without worrying about becoming a hacker’s latest victim.
Avoid bandwidth throttling
If you love to stream videos and movies, or regularly play online games, then you’ve probably been affected by bandwidth throttling. Bandwidth throttling is when an ISP (Internet service provider) deliberately slows down a user’s connection speeds to reduce traffic congestion. ISPs are not required to inform users if their bandwidth has been throttled, so it could be happening to you at any time without your knowledge. ISPs will generally target users who participate in “heavy” bandwidth activities such as streaming, torrenting, and online gaming.
When a VPN encrypts your traffic, it not only stops hackers from intercepting or monitoring it, but also your ISP. Once connected to a VPN server, your ISP will no longer see any of your online activity. This means that the ISP is now unable to identify whether or not you’re participating in a heavy bandwidth activity, and will therefore not throttle your bandwidth. With a VPN, you won’t have to face any bandwidth caps or slow connection speeds due to your ISP ever again.
Our top recommended best VPNs for the UK in 2023
Now that you understand the advantages of using a VPN, it’s time to find a suitable provider. Since there are so many VPNs available in the UK, we’ve done the hard work for you by researching and handpicking the absolute best VPNs money can buy. All the VPNs we mention below provide users with unlimited bandwidth and have a no-logs policy. So, here goes –
CyberGhost*
CyberGhost is the best overall VPN for the UK due to its wide network of servers, super-fast connection speeds, and robust security protocols. Using this VPN, you are shielded against hackers, third parties, and your ISP, so you can safely browse the web without any disruption.
CyberGhost has over 440 servers in the UK and over 6800 worldwide. Wherever you are, there will always be a server nearby, so you can ensure fast connection speeds at all times. This VPN provider is also well-known for its unbeatable speeds, meaning that you can enjoy buffer-free streaming and lag-free gaming. CyberGhost also gives you the option to automatically connect to the fastest available server, so you can ensure the best possible connection speed at all times.
When using CyberGhost, your traffic is protected by military-grade AES 256-bit encryption. This level of encryption is practically impossible to crack, guaranteeing the ultimate protection for you and your devices. There are several other security features provided by this VPN including a kill switch, split tunnelling, obfuscated servers, dedicated IP, and double VPN encryption.
All in all, CyberGhost is ideal for all types of users, whether you want to prioritise staying secure online, increasing connection speeds, or streaming geo-blocked content. With lightning-fast server speeds, and next-level security, CyberGhost will significantly upgrade your online experience.
ExpressVPN*
Last, but not least, ExpressVPN is another notable VPN provider that’s a great choice for any users in the UK who are looking to upgrade their online security. This VPN has a great selection of core features laid out in a clean and easy-to-use interface that will suit both beginners and advanced users alike.
ExpressVPN has thousands of servers based in 94 locations, so you’ll have no shortage of server options. These servers can provide top-quality performance, meaning that you browse the web, download content, and play games online without your connection speeds ever being slowed down or disrupted. You can also switch on the speed test feature to automatically connect to the fastest server without any extra hassle.
This VPN will encrypt your traffic with AES-256 encryption, so you can prevent any hackers from monitoring your online activity or your ISP throttling your bandwidth. Other security features provided by ExpressVPN include split tunnelling, a network lock kill switch, private DNS, and TrustedServer technology.
To conclude, ExpressVPN is another ideal VPN for UK users who want to protect themselves online, speed up their connection, and unblock geo-restricted content from anywhere in the world. With a huge server network, an abundance of security features, and top-notch performance, this VPN can provide you with everything you need to stay both safe and entertained online.
PIA*
PIA VPN is an affordable yet still high-performing VPN. With this VPN provider, you can effortlessly circumvent geo-restrictions and stream content from anywhere in the world without ever needing to leave the UK. PIA VPN also does a fantastic job at concealing user traffic, so you can have peace of mind knowing that your ISP can no longer spy on your online activity.
With over 3292 servers worldwide, including the UK, PIA VPN provides users with plenty of choices. With this many servers available, you likely won’t ever experience a single server being overloaded with users. PIA VPN’s servers also provide exceptionally fast connection speeds, so you don’t have to worry about high latency, lag, or buffering.
PIA VPN encrypts all traffic with AES-256 encryption and further secures users with features such as a kill switch, and private DNS with leak protection. You can also enable the SOCKS5 proxy which allows you to use PIA VPN in restrictive countries without risk. When connected using this mode, all your VPN traffic will be disguised as regular internet activity, so you won’t be caught out using the VPN in strict countries such as Russia and China.
Overall, PIA VPN is a budget-friendly VPN that can protect you online, no matter where in the world you are. Not only this, but you can freely enjoy geo-blocked content while in the UK without facing any bandwidth throttling or other interruptions.
FAQS
Not at all! VPNs can vary in price but tend to equal the same as buying a cup of coffee or two each month. That’s not a lot, right?
Yes, VPNs are incredibly safe! As your data is encrypted when using a VPN, you can stay protected against hackers and malware when online.
No, VPNs are completely legal in the UK. It’s only shady activities, such as downloading pirated content, which will get you in trouble, whereas the actual use of a VPN for genuine reasons is fine.
Since your traffic has to travel further to reach one of the VPN’s servers, then there will be a slight drop in your connection speeds. However, in most cases, this speed reduction is so minimal that it is hardly noticeable.
Our top recommended VPN for the UK is NordVPN! This is a well-rounded VPN that offers everything you could possibly need to stay protected in the UK. Try NordVPN now for free with their 30-day money-back guarantee!