A virtual private network (VPN) is essential if you’re concerned about online security. The best VPNs keep your information away from third parties by obscuring your IP address without throttling your speeds.
My team has thoroughly tested over 30 providers to find the best VPN in the UK. After these tests, we’ve deduced the best VPN is NordVPN. The provider has a strict no-logs policy, boasts servers in over 111 countries and comes with numerous features to increase your online security.
If NordVPN isn’t right for you, we have detailed nine other VPNs in this guide to help you find the best provider for your needs.
And if you’re unclear on any of the terminology used throughout this article, take a look at our VPN definitions article, which explains some of the most commonly used terms in greater detail.
NordVPN costs just £2.69 per month and comes with an ironclad 30-day money-back guarantee. It scored highest for privacy & security, usability and features. Accessed every streaming service during testing with ease. Servers in 111+ countries.
With our exclusive deal, our best VPN for speed, Surfshark, can be used for as little as £1.49 per month. It was the fastest VPN overall during testing across all devices, and it comes with a 30-day refund policy. Allows the user to connect with an unlimited number of devices.
ExpressVPN accessed every streaming service successfully during our testing, scoring high marks across the board. It has lots of extra features, including a password manager, Threat Protection, a custom protocol, and more.
Proton VPN has everything you could want from a premium provider: an audited no-logs policy, advanced security features, exceptional connection speeds, and strong streaming capabilities. The free version has some limitations, although it does offer unlimited bandwidth.
Nippy servers and feature-filled apps ensure that PIA scores well across the board. It has the fastest average VPN connection speeds for Android devices and can be found for just £1.69 per month, so it’s the cheapest service listed.
IPVanish has a reputation as one of the fastest options on the market, and there’s no quicker VPN for iOS users. It has no device limits, you’ll find coverage in all 50 US states, and you’ll be covered by a simple 30-day money-back guarantee.
Labelled streaming servers and beginner-friendly apps make CyberGhost a viable option if you’re in need of a dependable VPN. It has almost 12,000 servers in total and an extended 45-day money-back guarantee for longer subscriptions.
Our best VPN list uses objective and data-driven tests for scoring, and it assesses the factors and sub-factors that we believe are most important for anyone considering using a VPN. These tests include 500+ speed tests across MacOS, Windows, iOS, and Android devices. In addition, we consider a number of key aspects when comparing VPNs. The breakdown is as follows:
Our VPN tests compare performance across eight critical factors: privacy & security,speed, pricing, content access, usability, features, customer service, and the company. Each factor has various subfactors. For instance, when looking at privacy & security (25%), we consider whether the service has a kill switch for all devices, run IP leak tests, test encryption, look for any previous security incidents, consider the company’s jurisdiction, examine the company’s data retention practices, and much more. We similarly thoroughly examine each of the criteria listed above. Wherever possible, our VPN tests and reviews use objective and quantifiable data to inform scoring. We also use expert subjective assessment supported by data to round out our testing process. You can see our testing and scoring process here.
Testing factors and evidence
Rather than taking our word for it, we’ve included information detailing the scoring and evidence we collected for each provider during testing.
For example, you’ll find speed test videos for each VPN in the speed section. Selecting privacy & security will bring up a video of our IP leak tests, alongside an average score for this criteria. For content access, we’ve added a screenshot of the VPN while accessing a popular streaming platform like BBC iPlayer or Netflix. Pricing has screenshots with the latest fees, while customer service contains videos of our interactions with live chat support. Features has a rundown with what to expect from each VPN, while we use the Flesch score of the VPN’s homepage to highlight usability. Finally, we’ve included Companies House information for the company section.
When selecting the best VPNs, we looked at their overall scoring, as well as specific results relating to speed, streaming, security, and more. This data was used, along with our established best VPN framework, to inform the listings.
When selecting the best VPN overall, we looked at a combination of overall scoring in terms of speed, reliability, content access, pricing, privacy & security, usability, features, customer service, and the company itself. The best provider should excel in all areas. Factors like server numbers were considered but didn’t contribute to the overall scoring.
The top VPN (by overall score) was selected for each use case below.
VPN
Best for
Overall score
NordVPN
Best overall VPN
8.80
Surfshark
Best VPN for speed
8.49
ExpressVPN
Best VPN for streaming
8.46
Proton VPN
Best VPN customer service
8.44
Private Internet Access
Best VPN for MacOS features
8.15
IPVanish
Best VPN for speedy iOS connections
7.90
CyberGhost
Best refund policy
7.82
Mullvad
Best VPN for anonymity
7.57
Windscribe
Best free VPN
7.43
PrivadoVPN
Best VPN for pricing
7.26
Recent updates
We’ve looked at all of the stats and figures for our best VPNs. Given there has been no major movement in the VPN landscape over the past few weeks, the list has stayed the same. Our page has been updated to reflect the latest VPN deals, as well as the latest speed test data. Prices accurate as of 8 November 2024.
In October, NordVPN upgraded Threat Protection to Threat Protection Pro; it can block intrusive ads and malicious websites while checking your apps for vulnerabilities
Surfshark has upgraded all its VPN servers across the globe from 1Gbps to 10Gbps to allow for faster connections and less crowded servers as of 12 September 2024
According to Reuters, Russia plans to spend 60 billion roubles (£498 million) to improve the system used to censor web traffic and VPNs as of 10 September
Brazil announced that it plans to fine anyone who tries to access social media platform X via a VPN after a regulator took down the platform on August 30
In August 2024, Surfshark released its first transparency report detailing any requests for user data
As of August 2024, Proton VPN made its browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox available for people using the Proton Free plan
Best results for privacy & security, usability and features
Worked with every streaming service tested
Cons
Not the cheapest option
Slower speeds on iOS during testing
Server countries111
Server locations135
Devices supportedWindows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, web browsers, routers, game consoles, and more
Customer support24/7 live chat
Simultaneous connections10 devices
Refund policy30-day guarantee
What NordVPN is best for
A wide range of features across multiple devices
Secure streaming via lots of popular platforms
Excellent speeds on MacOS, Android, and Windows devices
NordVPN overview
NordVPN is our pick of the best VPN for most users because it excels in a wide range of scenarios and earned the highest scores across the board in our testing.
While it doesn’t offer a free trial, it’s available from £2.69 per month and you can take advantage of its simple 30-day money-back guarantee, which allows you to test NordVPN for yourself with no risk.
NordVPN is based in Panama, which is especially privacy-friendly, and it offers over 6,300 servers to pick from across 111 countries. This extensive network has more locations for an IP address than any of the alternatives I’ve listed below.
Having conducted over 500 recent speed tests in the latest shake-up of our methodology, NordVPN was the undisputed fastest VPN on Windows and placed in the top three overall in terms of performance.
Streaming fans will be glad to hear that it aced our content access tests, and worked well with pretty much any UK platform you can think of. NordVPN also earned the highest scores overall for criteria such as privacy and security (9.00), usability (9.00), and features (9.68), giving it a weighted average score of 8.81 out of 10.
Overall, NordVPN provides a reliable streaming solution with an independently audited no-logs policy, which guarantees that NordVPN doesn’t track or record its user’s online activity.
NordVPN features
NordVPN offers unique features to boost user speeds and increase protection. NordVPN Threat Protection is a proprietary malware protection solution which eliminates third-party applications on users’ devices and prevents user tracking.
The Dark Web Monitor feature scans the internet for credential leaks and will notify you immediately if your linked email address is spotted. NordPass is also an effective password manager, making it ideal if you don’t want to use a third-party service. Meshnet allows users to create an encrypted network for up to 10 devices on your account.
Finally, NordVPN released its own VPN protocol with NordLynx. Built using the WireGuard protocol, NordLynx aims to offer faster connection speeds while still protecting your online identity.
Devices supportedWindows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, web browsers, routers, game consoles and more
Customer support24/7 live chat
Simultaneous connectionsunlimited
Refund policy30-day guarantee
What Surfshark is best for
Impressive connection speeds across all devices
A cheap VPN that ticks all the boxes
A VPN that works with most streaming services
Surfshark overview
You can invest in Surfshark’s cheap deals from just £1.49 per month. Surfshark is one of the top providers on the market and comes with some of the fastest speeds and no device limitations.
Unlike the majority of affordable options, it comes with an audited no-logs policy, and it’s adept at accessing the most popular streaming services. During my tests, I found it worked well with Netflix and BBC iPlayer, although it struggled with Now TV.
It proved to be the fastest VPN overall during testing, which is especially impressive given that it’s available for a fraction of the cost of the likes of ExpressVPN. Surfshark also scored well in terms of features, as it provides support across MacOS, Windows, iOS, and Android devices.
With this VPN, you can connect with an unlimited number of devices simultaneously, allowing you to share an account with friends and family at no extra cost.
As with any reputable provider, you can try Surfshark risk-free thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee.
Surfshark features
You can expect classic features like AES-256-bit encryption, an automatic kill switch and multihop support from Surfshark. Multihop adds another layer of encryption by routing your data through two secure servers, making it harder to uncover your IP address. Surfshark also boasts a massive network of more than 3,200 servers in 100 countries.
Some features specific to Surfshark include CleanWeb, which blocks ads, trackers and malware for further peace of mind. CleanWeb can be used via the Surfshark app and comes included in the Starter plan.
If you need to access websites while in other countries, Camouflage Mode and NoBorders allow secure access to the internet from anywhere on the planet. For those concerned about privacy, Surfshark uses Alternative ID to generate an online profile. Alternative Number is a paid add-on which also creates an online phone number, keeping your actual information obscure when you sign up for online services. These two features are truly unique and set Surfshark apart from the crowd.
Accessed every streaming service successfully during testing
Had lots of advanced features across every app
Achieved high scores for customer service
Cons
More expensive than average
Slower speeds on Android devices
Server countries105
Server locations145
Devices supportedWindows, Mac, iOS, Android, Fire TV, Linux, routers, web browsers, Smart TVs, game consoles and more
Customer supportLive chat and knowledge base
Simultaneous connectionseight
Refund policy30 days
What ExpressVPN is best for
Fastest UK server speeds via desktop devices
Expert advice and quick responses via live chat
Router hardware (Aircove)
ExpressVPN overview
ExpressVPN is our top streaming VPN and comes in at £3.97 per month. ExpressVPN combines fast speeds and strong streaming support to great effect. The provider has been independently audited 12 times between 2018 and 2022, more than any of its competitors, proving its reliability as a secure provider.
As with NordVPN, ExpressVPN has recently upped its game, increasing the maximum number of simultaneous connections from five to eight while significantly expanding its network of servers to include 105 countries.
ExpressVPN stands out as one of the best VPNs for content access, acing all of our streaming tests across 10 streaming platforms. The provider recorded the fastest overall UK VPN server speeds via MacOS (402.00 Mbps) and Windows devices (269.19 Mbps).
It also scored high marks jurisdictionally, as it’s based in the British Virgin Islands. The British Virgin Islands are based outside of the Five Eyes, an intelligence-sharing agreement between Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK and the US. The Five Eyes is not very transparent about its operations and can share and request information about these countries’ citizens. Because of this, working with a VPN based outside the Five Eyes promises more security than working with those within its jurisdiction.
It also is ideal for anyone who wants to be covered by some of the best customer services in the business. ExpressVPN’s response times via live chat averaged less than a minute (51 seconds); that’s the time it takes to speak to a real human, as opposed to the bot support seen elsewhere.
You won’t be left feeling short-changed if you decide to sign up with ExpressVPN, and it comes with a no-quibble 30-day money-back guarantee just in case you’re not fully satisfied.
ExpressVPN features
While it’s no longer a clear frontrunner overall, scoring 8.46 out of 10, ExpressVPN manages to keep up with the leading pack. It offers unique features such as Lightway, which aims to use
less battery and create a more effective connection to your VPN for a smoother experience.
ExpressVPN went above and beyond with its ShuffleIP feature, which automatically changes the IP address assigned to you for every web server you access, making it harder to link your online activity back to you.
Post-quantum protection is available as long as you’re using the Lightway protocol and can protect your computer against quantum computing. While it’s not a feature you need right now, it aims to protect your data in the event that more powerful computers in the future manage to bypass the encryption protocols currently in place, making ExpressVPN more future-proof than its competitors.
Read our full ExpressVPN review to find out more about this provider.
ExpressVPN test results and overall scores
Here's where you'll find the criteria, evidence, and scoring for ExpressVPN.
8.77
Privacy & Security
7.62
Speed
10
Content Access
6.90
Pricing
8.95
Usability
9.05
Features
10
Company
9.5
Customer Service
Factor
ExpressVPN
Overall score
8.46
Performance overall score
7.62
MacOS average speeds
483 Mbps
Android average speeds
269.19 Mbps
iOS average speeds
113.33 Mbps
Windows average speeds
229.67 Mbps
Content access overall score
10.0
Access to streaming services: Amazon Prime, Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Sky Go, Virgin TV Go, All 4, ITV X, Apple TV, Disney Plus and Paramount Plus
Amazon Prime, Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Sky Go, Channel 4, ITV X, Apple TV, Disney Plus and Paramount Plus
Devices supportedWindows, Mac, iOS, Android, Android TV, Linux, web browsers and Chromebook
Customer supportKnowledge base, live chat (for customers only) and submit a request form
Simultaneous connections10
Refund policy30 days
What Proton VPN is best for
Secure content access from anywhere in the world
Knowledgeable support staff and quick responses via live chat
Audited VPN with strong streaming support
Proton VPN overview
ProtonVPN is one of the best VPNs for those concerned about customer service (10). In our tests, it took an average of just 21 seconds to receive a response from a human representative, the shortest time of any provider on this list. All three questions we asked were answered satisfactorily, earning ProtonVPN the highest customer service rating of all the providers we tested.
There aren’t many providers who focus on security and privacy to the extent that Proton VPN does. Given that it also delivers the goods in terms of speeds and content access, it’s especially useful if you don’t mind paying a slightly higher price.
Its server numbers are always increasing, from 2,700 to 8,100+ over the past 18 months. While it previously offered connections to servers in 67 countries, it is up to 112 at the time of writing.
Proton VPN performed reasonably well in our speed tests when we connected to nearby servers in the UK. However, we did see a slowdown while testing the Windows app via London-based servers (126.68 Mbps), especially when compared to MacOS (402.00 Mbps) and iOS (405.00 Mbps) Proton VPN apps. As a result, the VPN Accelerator seems like more of a gimmick than anything else.
If you’re willing to spend a little more on your VPN subscription, Proton VPN is undeniably one of the best providers on the market. It misses out on a top three spot by the finest of margins (0.02), but it’s still our top pick as the best VPN for customer service.
ProtonVPN features
Proton VPN comes with AES-256 encryption, split tunnelling and a kill switch. The latter allows you to send certain traffic through a VPN and others through a local network, while the latter will automatically disconnect your device from the internet if your VPN connection drops.
The NetShield feature protects users from ads and stops trackers from monitoring their browsing history and VPN Accelerator claims it has the ability to boost your connection speed by up to 400 per cent, smoothing out buffering time when streaming and improving connection stability. Finally, ProtonVPN is one of the few providers to offer a free version of the app, giving you the chance to try before you buy. Just like the paid edition, it has a strict no-logs policy and offers unlimited bandwidth, although the servers are prone to slower speeds.
Devices supportedWindows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, routers, web browsers, Smart TVs, game consoles and more
Customer supportLive chat, knowledge base and submit a request form
Simultaneous connectionsunlimited
Refund policy30 days
What PIA is best for
Affordable coverage on unlimited devices
Features on par with the best in the business
Fast speeds from a range of locations
PIA VPN overview
Private Internet Access (PIA) offers a well-rounded service, especially for Mac users.
PIA was last audited in 2022 by Deloitte. The company passed with flying colours, proving that it keeps its users’ online activity away from prying eyes. However, it did lose some points in our privacy and security category (7.43) for being based in America, which is part of the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance.
Looking at speeds, PIA scored most favourably in our UK MacOS tests (7.34), reaching an average of 381.67Mbps. It reached over 100Mbps in all of our tests, with the lowest UK average coming from Android, at 139.67Mbps. While this isn’t as impressive as some other VPN providers on this list, PIA still offers a very reasonable performance for the price.
Speaking of price, PIA is one of the most affordable VPNs on the market (8.40), with its cheapest subscription costing just £1.57 per month at the time of writing. The inclusion of a free trial on Android and iOS devices is another plus, as well as the frequent discounts you can get through PIA’s website.
PIA has optimised servers for accessing popular streaming platforms in a long list of countries and could access almost all of the streaming platforms we tested. The only two it was unable to access were Sky Go and Channel 4.
PIA features
On the face of it, PIA has some of the best features on offer (9.63). It can support unlimited devices, it has a kill switch, tracker and ad blocker, as well as multihop and split tunnelling on Mac and other platforms. However, diving into the specifics, we know that the tracker and ad-blocker are not supported on Android and split tunnelling is unavailable on iOS.
The company doesn’t advertise its server number, but we do know that PIA offers coverage in 91 countries across 155 locations. While that’s not as impressive as NordVPN, which offers over 6,000 servers across 111 countries, it’s more than enough for most users.
Devices supportedWindows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome OS, routers and most streaming devices
Customer supportBot messenger, knowledge base and submit a request form
Simultaneous connectionsunlimited
Refund policy30 days
What IPVanish VPN is best for
Speedy iOS connections
IPVanish VPN overview
IPVanish is one of the best VPNs if you’re an iOS user. In our speed tests, it was able to average an incredible 443Mbps on UK servers, proving IPVanish’s worth as a reliable VPN provider for iPhone owners. Admittedly, IPVanish’s overall speed performance (7.55) was middling, with the lowest UK average coming from Android at 132Mbps.
A weighted score of 8.4 for pricing puts IPVanish firmly on a par with the likes of Surfshark and PIA in that category. At the time of writing, you can sign up for as little as £1.58 per month for 24 months.
IPVanish’s monthly subscriptions are much more expensive at £9.99 per month, so we wouldn’t recommend signing up for IPVanish on a short-term basis. This is further cemented by the fact that the company’s 30-day money-back guarantee only applies to its yearly or two-year plans.
Despite its reliable scores in other categories, we must take a look at IPVanish’s less-than-stellar privacy and security score (6.47). The company is based in the United States, which is a part of the intelligence-sharing alliance Five Eyes, making it less secure than VPN providers based outside of Europe and the US.
IPVanish was last audited in 2022 by Leviathan Security Group, proving that it doesn’t record or store its users’ online activity. However, during its previous audit in 2016, IPVanish handed over highly detailed information on a customer to the FBI, leading to an arrest. Even though this went towards securing an arrest, this act was in breach of IPVanish’s advertised no-logs policy, which states that no customer data is collected. It’s important to note that since this incident, there have been no further breaches or controversies.
IPVanish VPN features
Turning towards IPVanish’s features (8.21), we can see that it supports unlimited simultaneous devices. Common features like split tunnelling, malware protection, a kill switch, tracker and ad blocker are all supported across MacOS, iOS, Windows, Android and Fire Stick.
Unfortunately, advanced features like multihop, which sends your internet traffic through multiple VPN servers to increase privacy, are not currently supported on IPVanish on any platform.
IPVanish does not have any unique security features to its name, lacking some of the bells and whistles of providers like NordVPN and Surfshark. However, the speedy iOS performance and affordable long-term deals make IPVanish a reliable VPN worth considering.
Missing out on a few advanced features seen elsewhere
No 12-month subscriptions
Server countries100
Server locations128
Devices supported Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Android TV, Linux, web browsers, Fire TV Stick, Smart TVs, games consoles and more
Customer support Live chat, knowledge base and submit a request form
Simultaneous connectionsseven
Refund policy 45 days (annual subscription)
What CyberGhost is best for
Fastest US server speeds on Android
Simple apps with labelled streaming servers
45-day money-back guarantee
CyberGhost VPN overview
Next on my list of the best VPNs on the market right now is CyberGhost. Starting strong, CyberGhost scores well for usability (8.12) thanks to the ability to switch servers very quickly – in just 2.01 seconds. It has a clean and minimal homepage that was easy to navigate in our tests.
CyberGhost also has an impeccable company score (10). It has never had any breaches with the ASA or ICO and is based in Romania, outside of the Five Eyes alliance. We can also confirm that CyberGhost was successfully audited in 2020, ensuring it abides by its advertised no-logs policy.
CyberGhost scored very highly in our MacOS and iOS speed tests but lost some points for its slightly slower performance across Windows and Android apps (7.31). In our iOS tests on UK servers, CyberGhost averaged 394.67Mbps, and it reached above 130Mbps in all other tests. While I would point you towards Surfshark or ExpressVPN for the best speeds on the market, CyberGhost is still worth looking into, especially if you prefer using iOS.
Content access was reasonable (8.5) , but not the best in the game. Out of the 10 streaming platforms we tested with, CyberGhost was able to access seven of them, supporting the likes of Netflix, BBC iPlayer and Apple TV. Those we couldn’t access included Amazon Prime, Sky Go and Channel 4.
Right now, there are no 12-month plans available from CyberGhost. Instead, you can pick between a 1-month, 6-month or 24-month plan. Its two-year plan is reasonably priced at just £1.78 per month, with two months thrown in for free. For £2.25 extra per month, you can also add the Dedicated IP feature, which assigns an IP address exclusively to you for increased security.
One of the standout features of CyberGhost is its expansive refund policy. For one-month subscriptions, users benefit from a 14-day money-back guarantee, which increases to 45 days with subscriptions lasting six months or more. This is more than any other provider on this list, and makes CyberGhost one of the best providers to test out a VPN.
CyberGhost VPN features
In terms of features (8.61), CyberGhost allows seven devices to be connected at once. This is reasonable, but not on the same level as Surfshark or Windscribe, which allow for unlimited connections.
Otherwise, CyberGhost is lacking in a couple of areas. There is no malware protection or multihop support on any platform, and split tunnelling is only available on Android devices.
On the bright side, all platforms support kill switch, and a tracker and ad-blocker are present across all platforms other than iOS. While it’s less expansive than other VPNs on this list, CyberGhost makes up for it by having servers in 100 countries with over 11,400 server locations, the most of any VPN we tested.
Devices supported Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux and web browsers
Customer supportKnowledge base and email
Simultaneous connections five
Refund policy 30 days
What Mullvad VPN is best for
Fastest iOS VPN speeds
Anonymity
Mullvad VPN overview
Mullvad is one of the best VPNs for privacy and anonymity. Users don’t need to use an email address when signing up, which allows them to keep their information safe. To go even further, Mullvad is one of the few VPNs that allow its users to pay for a subscription via cash in the mail, so you don’t have to have any bank statements linking you to the company. You can also pay for Mullvad via credit card, PayPal, bank transfer and cryptocurrency.
Looking closer at Mullvad’s privacy and security (7.72), the company went through its fourth independent audit in 2024, undertaken by Cure53. This audit was primarily focused on OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols, with close attention being paid to the privacy and security of its servers. The audit proved that Mullvad was not vulnerable and contributed to a robust security posture, making it very safe for users.
In terms of speed (8.0), Mullvad performed exceptionally well in our MacOS and iOS tests on UK servers, with an average speed of 453Mbps and 464.67Mbps respectively. It had the best average for iOS of the ten providers we tested, making it one of the best VPNs for Apple users. The average speeds in our Windows and Android tests were less impressive but still reliable, reaching 259.28Mbps and 130Mbps, respectively.
Mullvad did receive a lower-than-average pricing score (6.25) due to its unique pricing strategy. The company offers three subscription lengths of one month, one year, and one decade. Every subscription costs the same, at just €5 (£4.18) per month, with no change in its pricing since 2009. Unlike other VPNs, Mullvad never introduces seasonal discounts. While this may be off-putting for some, it does make Mullvad very predictable and allows you to sign up at any time of the year without missing out on any seasonal deals.
Mullvad VPN features
Mullvad’s privacy and security features are a bit of a mixed bag, but overall, they represent good value for most customers. This VPN supports the lowest number of simultaneous device connections of any VPN we tested, at just five devices, for which it lost a couple of points in our scoring.
However, Mullvad has an impressive array of features that are supported on most platforms and devices. Kill switch, which automatically disconnects you from the internet if your VPN connection falters, works across MacOS, iOS, Windows and Android. The same can be said for the tracker and ad-blocker, malware protection and multihop. The latter routes your traffic through multiple secure servers for increased protection. The only inconsistent feature is split tunnelling, which only works across Windows and Android.
Right now, Mullvad has servers in 44 countries and 81 locations. This is the lowest country count of any VPN we tested and pales in comparison to providers like NordVPN and Surfshark, which have servers in 111 in 100 countries. This will be important to consider if you need to use your VPN to connect to servers in multiple countries and locations.
Devices supportedWindows, Mac, iOS, Android, Fire TV Stick, Linux, Huawei, routers, web browsers and more
Customer supportBot messenger and knowledge base
Simultaneous connectionsunlimited
Refund policyseven days and 10GB limit
What Windscribe VPN is best for
Free streaming servers
Windscribe VPN overview
People who need a VPN but can’t afford to be locked into a lengthy subscription will want to look towards Windscribe. It is one of the few VPN providers to offer a completely free version of its service, which comes with up to 10GB of data, unlimited simultaneous device connections and servers in 10 countries, making it one of the best free VPNs available.
If you prefer to sign up without an email address, you can still benefit from all the features mentioned above, but your data limit will be capped at 2GB. Other than the free plan, there are three subscription plans on offer: monthly, yearly or build your own, through which you pay just $1 (£0.77) per location per month.
Windscribe’s privacy and security score (6.68) is lower than its competitors’ as it has not yet been fully independently audited. This is significant as independent audits verify that the VPN provider follows its no-logs policy and does not store any data or information about its users.
It’s worth noting that in 2022, Windscribe’s desktop application was audited and open-sourced, with its mobile apps also undergoing an audit. Windscribe also claims that it has undergone a full audit in the first quarter of this year. Once the results of this audit are published, we will have a better idea of the validity of the company’s no-logs policy.
More positively, Windscribe did receive a high content access score (9.5) as it was able to access nine out of the 10 streaming services we tested it with. Our testers were able to watch platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime and BBC iPlayer in 4K for an hour with no buffering or slow-down periods, proving its worth for TV and movie fans. The only platform it was unable to access was Paramount Plus.
In terms of speed (7.01), Windscribe’s performance was brought down by our Windows and Android tests. When connected to a UK server, it reached an average speed of 80.35Mbps and 58.57Mbps, respectively. The former was the lowest average speed for Windows across the board, with its Android results coming second to last. MacOS and iOS speeds were much better, reaching an average of 453Mbps on MacOS and 464.57Mbps on iOS.
Windscribe VPN features
Windscribe has support for unlimited device connections on both its free and paid plans. In terms of security features (8.68), Windscribe boasts its own R.O.B.E.R.T feature; R.O.B.E.R.T blocks ads, prevents you from accessing malicious content and allows you to customise your blocklist. All changes made to your settings in R.O.B.E.R.T are instant, without the need to wait or reconnect your device and offer a high level of customizability.
Other than R.O.B.E.R.T, Windscribe also boasts a kill switch, available on iOS, Windows and Android, with an alternative Firewall feature on MacOS. Split tunnelling is available, allowing you to route traffic through a VPN and local network at the same time, although it is not available on iOS. Multihop is also present, but only supported on MacOS and Windows.
Some of the cheapest VPN subscriptions on the market
One of the few VPNs to offer a free trial and a free version
Cons
No-log policy yet to be audited
Lowest overall score for privacy & security (5.32), usability (7.78) and features (7.26)
Server countries49
Server locations66
Devices supportedWindows, Mac, iOS, Android, Fire TV Stick and Android TV
Customer supportKnowledge base and submit a request form
Simultaneous connections10
Refund policy30 days
What PrivadoVPN is best for
Pricing
PrivadoVPN overview
PrivadoVPN is ideal if you’re in need of a low-cost VPN that offers a decent selection of servers along with impressive speeds. A free tier with a 10GB data cap can be used to test it out with a range of geo-restricted services, and it worked with everything aside from Sky Go, Now TV, and ITV X.
Along with streaming access, Privado offers an ad blocker, kill switch, split tunnelling, and a Socks5 proxy. However, when compared with some of the alternatives listed above, it falls short in terms of advanced features, as well as its smaller server count.
Privado earns the best VPN pricing score on our list, not just because it has some of the cheapest subscriptions available but also because it’s one of the few VPNs to offer both a decent free version. It also offers regular promotions and comes with an ironclad 30-day money back guarantee.
It advertises a no-logs policy, but, unfortunately, this is yet to be independently audited – this is particularly disappointing considering the provider does collect some logging information, including device identifiers and email addresses. As such, a low privacy & security score is something to be aware of.
Speeds were impressive, although the results didn’t match up to the very best in the business. This was especially apparent while testing the Android app, with UK speeds averaging just 58.57 Mbps. Comparatively, Surfshark offers 162.00 Mbps via the same setup.
PrivadoVPN is ideal for beginners, thanks to its easy-to-use apps. A decent free VPN tier has helped the service to garner a substantial user base, and it continues to improve over time.
However, for any users looking for the best VPN service, this provider might not be a good fit despite the cheap deals on offer. It lacks an audited no-logging policy, and server locations are few and far between.
Here's where you'll find the criteria, evidence, and scoring for PrivadoVPN.
5.32
Privacy & Security
7.46
Speed
8.50
Content Access
8.66
Pricing
7.78
Usability
8.68
Features
9.40
Company
3.75
Customer Service
Factor
PrivadoVPN
Overall score
7.26
Performance overall score
7.46
MacOS average speeds
362 Mbps
Android average speeds
229.58 Mbps
iOS average speeds
57.47 Mbps
Windows average speeds
375.67 Mbps
Content access overall score
8.50
Access to streaming services: Amazon Prime, Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Sky Go, Now TV, Channel 4, ITV X, Apple TV, Disney Plus and Paramount Plus
Amazon Prime, Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Channel 4, Apple TV, Disney Plus and Paramount Plus
Pricing overall score
8.66
Free trial? Y/N
Y
12-month price
44.85
Privacy & security score
5.32
Audited no-log policy? Y/N
Y
Last logging policy audit date
None publicly disclosed
Usability score
7.78
Features score
7.26
Ad blocker? Y/N
N
Company score
10.0
Customer service score
3.75
The fastest VPNs in 2024
We’ve been testing VPN speeds all year, so here’s how our current top 10 have performed since January 2024.
VPN name
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
Average
NordVPN
434.98
330.36
423.42
441.02
354.01
249.68
548.64
543.18
415.66
Surfshark
350.33
420.29
428.08
433.14
334.78
255.31
543.62
536.32
412.73
ExpressVPN
232.19
229.18
221.23
304.17
295.25
126.68
555.47
550.26
314.30
CyberGhost
249.49
471.14
418.95
361.7
299.84
269.19
523.24
536.97
391.32
Proton VPN
323.62
403.18
356.76
298.39
292.42
133.49
384.28
551.34
342.94
Private Internet Access
111.48
134.94
117.16
92.15
92.72
201.45
175.56
249.99
146.93
Mullvad
202.35
181.73
259.28
306.88
491.12
288.27
Windscribe
167.46
409.52
387.12
263.86
190.15
80.35
285.18
513.43
287.13
PrivadoVPN
412.59
393.61
417.56
408.78
160.54
229.58
347.45
426.64
349.59
IPVanish
436.65
472.12
386.42
384.03
151.88
185.76
262.15
546.18
353.15
Despite a slow month in June, NordVPN has consistently been the fastest VPN during our tests across 2024. Surfshark is only a few Mbps behind, while CyberGhost has put up some respectable numbers in recent months. On average, PIA is the slowest VPN we’ve tested.
For an in-depth look at which VPN is best for different platforms, we calculated the average speed on UK servers across four platforms, including MacOS, Windows, Android and iOS.
As you can see, ExpressVPN performed best in our MacOS and Windows tests. Surfshark was the fastest across Android, while Mullvad had the best average speed on iOS. Consider the platform you use most and how your desired VPN performs in that category to find the best VPN for your needs.
The most affordable VPNs in 2024
Our experts check prices every week so you can find a VPN deal that fits your budget. You can also look at our best cheap VPNs for an in-depth look at our top affordable providers.
VPN provider
Price per month (one-month subscription)*
Price per month (12-month subscription)
Price per month (24-month subscription)
NordVPN
£9.89 (Basic), £10.59 (Plus), £12.49 (Ultimate)
£3.49 (Basic), £4.19 (Plus), £6.09 (Ultimate)
£2.69 (Basic), £3.49 (Plus), £5.29 (Ultimate)
Surfshark
£11.49, (Starter), £13.39 (One), £15.39 (One+)
£2.19, (Starter), £2.49 (One), £4.50 (One+)
£1.49, (Starter), £1.89 (One), £2.99 (One+)
ExpressVPN
£10.30
£5.30
N/A
Proton VPN**
£8.32 (Plus), £10.82 (Unlimited)
£4.16 (Plus), £8.32 (Unlimited)
£3.74 (Plus), £6.66 (Unlimited)
PIA
£9.99
£2.71
£1.67
IPVanish
£9.99 (Essential), £11.49 (Advanced)
£2.92 (Essential), £3.27 (Advanced)
£1.58 (Essential), £2.39 (Advanced)
CyberGhost
£10.89
N/A
£1.92
Mullvad**
£4.17
£4.17
N/A
Windscribe***
£6.91
£4.42
N/A
PrivadoVPN
£10.99
£2.99
£1.99
* Prices accurate as of 21/10/2024. ** ProtonVPN and Mullvad prices were converted from euros to pounds. *** Windscribe’s prices were converted from dollars to pounds.
Surfshark is currently the cheapest VPN provider, offering a 24-month contract for just £1.49 with six months free.
Mullvad has an interesting pricing strategy; the monthly, 12-month and one-decade plans all cost £4.17 per month, with no changes in the price since 2009. Providers like ExpressVPN and CyberGhost offer six-month contracts, costing £7.85 and £6.19, respectively. A select number of providers also offer different subscription tiers, such as Nord Ultimate, Surfshark One+ and IPVanish Advanced. These tiers are more expensive but come with more features.
The best way to save money is by opting for longer-term contracts, as monthly plans are almost always the most expensive. NordVPN, Surfshark and ExpressVPN also offer a couple of months free on 12 and 24-month contracts.
A virtual private network, or VPN, allows you to create a secure connection between your device and a server in a location you’ve selected. Predominantly used for privacy and security, a VPN masks your IP address, making it tough for anyone to track your online activities. You’ll be assigned a new IP address that matches the server location you’ve selected. This can be used to access geo-blocked websites and services. VPNs generally use a paid subscription model and expect the entire sum upfront when you sign up. VPNs are a form of software, although you can buy a VPN router if you’re looking for a hardware solution.
VPNs tend to be fairly easy to use, with free and paid options to choose from. They allow the user to access public Wi-Fi safely, so a VPN can be helpful while you’re travelling, especially if you want to access banking apps. VPNs allow the user to torrent safely, and you’ll find apps for almost any device or operating system you can think of.
How does a VPN work?
A VPN creates a secure tunnel between your device and the internet by encrypting your data and routing it through a remote server. This means your online activities are kept private, as your data is not visible to anyone monitoring your connection. When you connect to a website, your data is sent through the VPN’s server, hiding your real IP address and location while protecting your data from being intercepted. This will help to keep any interested parties such as your internet service provider (ISP), at bay, as they will only be able to see that you’ve connected to a VPN server, rather than all of the traffic sent to and from your device.
VPN encryption is especially important to ensure there are no data leaks to worry about. The same is true for no-logs policies, as the VPN itself could still have access to your data, and needs to get rid of it accordingly. Rather than taking logging claims at face value, look for a provider with an audited no-logs policy to remove the need for any guesswork.
VPNs we wouldn’t recommend
I would strongly advise not to opt for the first ‘free’ VPN service that pops up when you open your browser or device’s app store. For example, the ever-popular Hola VPNopenly admits;
“Like any P2P network, Hola is a “value exchange” network — you get the Hola free limited service (on PC, Mac or Android), and in exchange you provide a certain amount of network and processing power when your computer is not in use.”
It’s best to stick with an audited VPN, especially as the provider has access to your personal data. After all, it’s not unheard of for some VPNs to sell user data, or to include hidden malware. Urban VPN is another popular VPN that I wouldn’t recommend, given it logs a heap of user data in the process.
Best VPN FAQs
Yes, VPNs are legal in the UK. It’s also legal to use a VPN to access geo-restricted streaming services, such as Netflix and Disney Plus. However, it’s important to note that downloading, accessing or sharing copyrighted material or conducting any other criminal activity, even while using a VPN, is illegal.
The majority of VPN apps will notify you every time you connect to or disconnect from a server. A simple method to test whether your VPN is working is checking your IP address to see if it matches the VPN server location you’ve selected.
Connection speeds can be a limitation with some VPNs, while some regions are neglected in favour of servers in more popular locations. Some sites and services have taken to banning VPN connections, typically by blocking the temporary IP address that’s assigned to the user. This can often be solved by switching to a different VPN server, as you’ll be assigned a new IP address in the process.
We strongly recommend that everyone uses a VPN, even if it’s just to stop companies like Google and your ISP from tracking your online movements. Everyone has a right to privacy, and a VPN helps to protect your personal information. VPNs are easy to use, and you’ll find associated apps for every device you can think of.
Yes, many VPNs offer regular deals and promotions, although you will have to sign with the service for a longer period of time. You’ll be asked to pay the total amount of the entire length of the contract, so while the monthly price will be lower, there will be a significant upfront cost.
The majority of VPN services will select the best protocol for you automatically. NordVPN and ExpressVPN will guide the user towards their own protocol solutions, while the majority of other VPNs will use WireGuard by default. If in doubt, my advice is to stick with the recommended protocol.
VPNs are easy to use, even if you don’t have any prior experience. In the past they could be reasonably daunting, but you’ll be able to get connected with a couple of clicks. If you’re having any trouble, the average provider has lots of helpful information available on its website, while many offer live chat support around the clock.
VPNs often cause slower speeds since your data needs to travel through additional encrypted tunnels. Providers like ProtonVPN offer high-speed issues that aim to alleviate this issue.
Free VPNs often don’t have the same security measures as their paid counterparts. However, after careful testing, we do recommend the free version of Windscribe; it supports AES-256 encryption and comes with up to 10GB of data.
James Milin-Ashmore has covered cybersecurity and VPNs since the mid-2010s, writing for industry publications and services such as VPN Mentor, Liquid VPN, Comparitech, Bleeping Computer, ProPrivacy, AlwaysVPN, and more.
With a focus on ethics and digital privacy, his work has been featured in a range of publications, including the Activist Handbook and Reader’s Digest. In his spare time, he’s likely to be watching sports, writing about collectibles, or taking his dog for a walk around Hertfordshire.
Rafay Baloch isa globally renowned cybersecurity expert and white-hat hacker with a proven track record of identifying critical zero-day security vulnerabilities in numerous web applications, products, and browsers. His discoveries have been instrumental in safeguarding the privacy and security of millions of users worldwide. Baloch has received various accolades, including being named one of the “Top 5 Ethical Hackers of 2014” by Checkmarx, one of the “15 Most Successful Ethical Hackers Worldwide”, and one of the “Top 25 Threat Seekers” by SC Magazine. In addition, Reflectiz listed him among the “Top 21 Cybersecurity Experts You Must Follow on Twitter in 2021”.
Rafay has presented his research at various international cybersecurity conferences, including Black Hat, Hack In Paris, HEXCON, the 10th Information Security Conference in Greece, the CSAW Conference, and many others. He is frequently sought after for his insights and analysis on current cybersecurity topics, appearing in national and international mainstream media outlets such as Forbes, WSJ, BBC, Express Tribune, DAWN, and many others.
Rafay authored the “Ethical Hacking and Penetration Testing Guide” in 2014. ‘Web Hacking Arsenal: A Practical Guide To Modern Web Pentesting‘ is set to be released in August 2024.
Gemma Ryles is a BJTC and PPA-accredited journalist with three years of experience writing across various publications. As a home tech expert at Independent Advisor, Gemma tests, researches and writes about broadband and home security.
Previously, Gemma reviewed and curated lists about consumer technology at Trusted Reviews, where she honed her skills in creating buying guides and features to help customers make informed decisions. She has previously worked at Yorkshire Post, BBC Yorkshire, Glitterbeam Radio and Bonus Stage.
Gemma has a BA in Journalism and in her free time can be found writing short stories, gaming and crocheting.
Disclaimer
The data in this review is reported from a neutral stance and should be used for informational purposes only. We review VPN services based on:
The quality of the product regarding the security and privacy it affords the user
The user experience of the application(s)
Connection speeds and overall performance in terms of reliability
The level and quality of customer service
Independent Advisor strongly recommends that you follow the local laws in your region while using a VPN. We do not condone the use of a VPN to bypass copyright restrictions or stream content without a valid subscription in your current region. Make sure to comply with all applicable laws and regulations while using a VPN with streaming services and any other relevant platforms.
