Best VPNs for the U.K. in 2025 for Media Streaming & Privacy

At a Glance

The U.K. is full of excellent content, such as streaming video services like BBC iPlayer, BT Sport, ITV Player, NOW TV, and more.

Unfortunately, if you’re outside of the U.K. for any reason – such as temporarily traveling abroad or living abroad as an expat – you’ll be blocked from accessing these services and other U.K.-based content because you have a foreign IP address.

Fortunately, there’s a way around this seeming impasse.

How Can I View U.K. Content from Abroad?

Fans of U.K. content can access their favorite services by subscribing to a Virtual Private Network (VPN). A VPN can change your IP address so that it looks like you and your devices are connecting to U.K.-based content from within the U.K., granting you access to all of your favorite formerly-blocked streaming, gaming, and other services.

In addition, a VPN encases your connection in a tunnel of encryption, keeping it protected from troublesome parties, such as hackers, the British government, or your Internet Service Provider.

In this article, I list the top six VPNs for accessing U.K. content from outside of U.K. borders.

Best VPNs for the U.K.

After testing the best VPNs around, I found that these six VPNs are the best available for accessing U.K.-based content.

In case you need just a quick rundown, here’s a summary of the best VPNs for the U.K.:

1. NordVPN: Top VPN for U.K. streaming. My #1 VPN provider offers 440+ servers in the U.K. Fast connections are the name of the game here, and your connections are well protected, too. Comes with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
2. Surfshark: Best budget VPN. If you’re counting pennies but still need a reliable VPN provider, Surfshark is your best bet. Despite its low long-term subscription rates, it offers excellent protection and an unlimited simultaneous connections allowance.
3. ExpressVPN: Premium U.K. VPN protection. This provider offers servers in Docklands, London, and Wembley. Its fast speeds and apps for a multitude of devices make it great for streaming your favorite U.K. content.
4. CyberGhost: Best bet for rookies. Newbies to the world of VPNs will appreciate CyberGhost’s easy-to-use apps for multiple platforms. U.K. content-unblocking will also be a breeze with CyberGhost’s 900+ servers in Berkshire, London, and Manchester.
5. Private Internet Access (PIA): Reliable VPN protection. PIA provides comprehensive online protection, protecting you from online perils and keeping your online activities undercover. The provider delivers fast, reliable access to content in the U.K. as well as around much of the rest of the globe.
6. PrivateVPN: A David among Goliaths. While this provider’s global server network is a bit on the tiny side, it provides well-protected connections to geo-fenced content in the countries where it has servers, including the U.K.

I used the criteria below to evaluate and rank my top six VPNs for the U.K.:

• Servers based in the U.K.
• Fast download speeds, with no data caps
• Good multi-platform support
• Optimal security and privacy protections
• Comprehensive customer support

Below is my list of the top six VPNs for the U.K.

1. NordVPN

Apr 2025

NordVPN is the top choice VPN for gaining access to U.K. content from outside of U.K. borders.

The provider offers a global server network with a whopping 5,500+ servers, 440+ of which are in the U.K. The rest are spread across 59+ other countries. You’ll have no problem accessing U.K.-based streaming services like BBC iPlayer, Sky Go, NOW TV, the U.K. version of Netflix, and more. Other services are fair game too, including Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Disney+, and more.

You’ll be able to enjoy HD and 4K streams thanks to NordVPN’s great connection speeds, which provided excellent speeds in my most recent round of speed tests. The provider never imposes bandwidth limitations or data caps. Dedicated P2P servers handle your file sharing, and gaming suffers no lag.

Native apps are available for iOS, macOS (with native M1/M2 Mac support), Linux, Windows, Android, Amazon Fire, and Android TV platforms. Many router makes and models are supported, and there are browser extensions to choose from: Chrome, Edge, or Firefox. Up to six of your desktop and mobile devices can connect simultaneously to the service on a single account.

NordVPN’s security protections are top-notch thanks to government-grade encryption, DNS leak and internet kill switch protections, and malware, botnet and ad blocking features.

NordVPN offers obfuscated and Double VPN servers. Double VPN is a feature that routes your connection through two VPN servers instead of one, enabling increased anonymity and encryption.

In regards to privacy, it’s the same as security: comprehensive. NordVPN features a no-server-logs-ever policy and accepts Bitcoin as a private method of subscription payment.

The provider’s owned-and-operated servers keep third-party contractors away from customers’ personal data. Plus, all NordVPN servers are run solely from volatile RAM, writing no data of any kind to a physical hard drive or SSD. This ensures that all data is totally wiped from the provider’s servers when they are rebooted or shut down.

24/7 support is a helpful offering of their service, comprising around-the-clock live chat support, email support, and a searchable support library.

BEST VPN FOR THE U.K.:NordVPN is the best VPN around for gaining access to U.K.-based content. Their comprehensive global server coverage includes servers in the U.K., granting fast connections to multiple U.K.-based streaming and other services. Its privacy policy and digital security protections are top-notch. A 30-day risk-free money-back guarantee is available.

Read my full review of NordVPN.

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2. Surfshark

Surfshark‘s cheap multi-year subscription options belie its excellent service. It’s an exceptional choice for champagne service-seekers with beer-bottle budgets.

The provider offers 3,200+ servers in 100+ countries, including the U.K. You should have no problem accessing and connecting to any streaming or other service in the U.K.

Surfshark’s fast connections make for no-lag gaming and a streaming experience with no buffering. There are no data caps or bandwidth limitations to worry about with this provider.

App support is optimal as well, with native apps for iOS, Android, Linux, Windows, macOS (with Apple Silicon support), and Amazon Fire device platforms. Browser extensions for Chrome, Edge, and Firefox are available, as is router support for multiple makes and models.

When it comes to how many devices can connect to Surfshark’s servers at once, the provider imposes no limits. You can have unlimited simultaneous connections to the provider’s servers under the same login credentials.

Surfshark’s connection protections are noteworthy, as it offers government-grade encryption, an internet kill switch, DNS leak protection, and ad and tracker blocking. Thanks to the provider’s “MultiHop” feature, your connection is routed through two VPN servers, increasing your online protection and anonymity.

Alongside Surfshark’s impressive data security features, a no-server-logs policy and cryptocurrency payment method offers comprehensive privacy protections. The provider now runs all of its servers 100% from RAM, meaning all data is securely wiped whenever a server is shut down or restarted.

Customer support includes 24/7 live chat support, a “contact us” form, an email option, and a searchable support library.

BEST BUDGET-PRICED VPN:Surfshark is the best option for those seeking U.K. content who are also on a budget. Privacy and security protections are top-notch, and you can connect an unlimited number of devices at once. A 30-day money-back guarantee is available.

Read my full review of Surfshark.

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3. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN shines when it comes to accessing streaming content around the world, including in the U.K.

The provider’s global server network is huge, encompassing over 3,000 servers in 94+ countries, including servers in London, Docklands, and Wembley. That kind of server coverage offers access to all kinds of U.K. streaming content.

ExpressVPN’s connection speeds are fast. The kind of bandwidth they offer is enough for HD and 4K streams of your favorite U.K. streaming content (depending on your usual connection speeds, of course). Gaming and file sharing are no problem for this provider’s speeds, either. You’ll find no data caps here.

The provider’s app support is extensive, with native apps available for macOS (with native M1/M2 Mac support), Windows 10, Linux, Android, iOS, Android TV, and Amazon Fire platforms.

Numerous router makes and models are supported too, and there are browser extensions available for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. Five concurrent connections are allowed under the same login credentials.

ExpressVPN’s security protections are comprehensive. It offers bank-grade encryption, DNS leak and internet kill switch protections, split tunneling, and more. ExpressVPN is also beta testing a new, proprietary protocol called “Lightway,” in addition to offering the industry-standard OpenVPN protocol.

In case you’re concerned about your privacy, you’ll be happy to know that ExpressVPN keeps no logs of your usage, and doesn’t track them, either. They also happily accept Bitcoin as a subscription payment.

In addition, the provider’s “TrustedServer” technology adds increased protection for your privacy. It runs all server operations directly from RAM, saving no data to the hard drive. This means that whenever the server is rebooted, all data is erased.

Customer support is there for you around the clock thanks to their 24/7 live chat, email, trouble ticket tracking system, and support library options.

GREAT STREAMING PROVIDER:ExpressVPN is a top-notch VPN that offers well-protected connections to your favorite streaming content. You can watch that content on a multitude of devices, and its fast speeds ensure there will be little to no buffering. A 30-day money-back guarantee is available.

Read my full review of ExpressVPN.

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4. CyberGhost

CyberGhost’s easy-to-use apps make it the best option for first-time VPN users who want powerful but simple access to U.K.-based content.

This provider offers an impressive range of global server coverage, with over 9,000 servers located in 90+ countries. Over 780 servers are spread among Berkshire, London, and Manchester, making CyberGhost the VPN on this list with the most U.K. servers.

With fast speeds, no bandwidth limitations, and no data caps, your connections to any geo-blocked content (including U.K. content, such as All 4 and ITV Hub) will run smoothly. The service is great for gaming, too.

CyberGhost’s easy-to-use native apps are available for most popular platforms, including Android, Android TV, iOS, macOS, Windows, Linux, and Amazon Fire.

Firefox and Chrome browser extensions are also available. You can connect up to seven devices to CyberGhost servers while on a single account.

Military-grade encryption, internet kill switch and DNS leak protection, and malicious website and ad blocking all combine to offer excellent connection protection. Plus, there’s a feature that allows you to force a website to serve up HTTPS versions of their pages.

A cryptocurrency payment option and no-logs policy add up to satisfying privacy protections.

Live chat, a support ticket tracking system, and a support library make up this service provider’s customer support offerings.

BEST FOR VPN NEWBIES:First-time VPN users, or those who simply want easy-to-use apps, will appreciate CyberGhost’s multiple app offerings. 900 servers in the U.K. and fast connections mean rapid internet access to geo-blocked content. A 45-day money-back guarantee is available.

Read my full review of CyberGhost.

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5. Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access (PIA) delivers reliable, well-protected access to content around much of the globe.

The PIA global server network currently boasts 3,300+ servers stationed in nearly 85 countries.

PIA’s customers’ online activities are kept well-undercover. The provider uses a tunnel of banking-grade encryption, IP/DNS leak prevention, and kill switch protection. Ad, tracker, malware, and dangerous website blocking are also available.

The provider never saves any logs of your online travels while you’re connected to its servers, keeping your online travels private. A Bitcoin subscription payment option protects your payment privacy. (Use a disposable email address to subscribe, to provide additional payment privacy.)

PIA’s native app options include offerings for most popular device platforms, including Android, Android TV, iOS, macOS, Windows, and Linux devices. Chrome, Opera, and Firefox browser protection are also available. The provider’s compatibility with various routers allows you to protect as many devices as your router allows, which should be many more devices than the provider’s 10 concurrent device limit allows.

This provider’s connection speeds are nowhere near the fastest on this list. However, PIA’s connections deliver more than enough bandwidth for popular online activities, including streaming, online gaming, and sharing files. Plus, PIA never spoils the fun by imposing daily or monthly data caps or by throttling your bandwidth.

PIA’s customer support options include live chat, a trouble ticket tracking system, and a support and troubleshooting library.

RELIABLE VPN PROTECTION:Private Internet Access provides reliable online security and privacy protection, as well as access to geo-controlled content in most areas of the globe. A 30-day money-back guarantee is available.

Read my full review of Private Internet Access.

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6. PrivateVPN

While PrivateVPN admittedly has a tiny global server network, its online security and privacy protection do not suffer from it.

Despite its limited global server count of 200+ servers spread among 60+ countries, the VPN network provides reliable access to most geo-fenced content in the countries it serves.

This provider’s connection speeds are the slowest on this list. That said, the speeds are more than fast enough for high-definition video streaming, most online games, and sharing files.

No worries on the online security front when using this provider, as all PrivateVPN-provided connections are protected by banking-grade encryption, IP/DNS leak prevention, and more. A proprietary “Stealth VPN” feature hides your VPN use by disguising it as normal browser traffic.

PrivateVPN follows a strict no-server logs policy, meaning there are no records saved of your online travels while you’re connected to the provider’s VPN servers. The provider’s Bitcoin payment option helps to keep your subscription information undercover.

App support is limited to the big four device platforms (Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows) and browser extensions are not available. The VPN provider can be set up on Linux devices and select routers with a bit of manual tinkering.

Customers can make up to 10 simultaneous connections to PrivateVPN.

PrivateVPN’s customer support team offers a live chat option, a support request form, and an FAQ support section.

MIGHTY-MITE VPN:PrivateVPN’s noticeably tiny global server network offers reliable access to content in the countries it serves. Fast, well-protected connections easily handle most users’ favorite online pastimes. “Stealth VPN” protection helps hide your VPN usage. A 30-day money-back guarantee is available.

Read my full review of PrivateVPN.

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Methodology for Assessing VPNs for U.K. Streaming & Privacy

While online users in the United Kingdom still enjoy most online freedoms, it doesn’t pay to use just any VPN. Below, I’ve listed the most important factors that I considered for this list of VPNs that I recommend for use for U.K. streaming and privacy:

• Connection speed: Connection speed is one of the most important factors to consider, no matter what you enjoy doing online. Whether it’s streaming video, gaming, or connecting for business reasons, connection speed is important. All of the VPNs I include on this list scored well in my most recent connection speed tests.
• Server network: A large global server network ensures you’ll have access to geo-fenced content in other countries. Always consider the location of the servers, as well as how many it has located in each country. The more servers in a single country, the less chance of a single server being overloaded.
• Value: Always compare a VPN provider’s asking price to the features and functionality it offers. All VPNs on this list offer excellent value.
• Ease of use: A VPN should not only offer apps for popular device platforms, but those apps should also be easy to use. Each VPN I included on my list offers intuitive apps.
• Security and privacy: All VPNs should (at the very least) offer banking-grade encryption, an automatic kill switch, and DNS/IP leak protection. A strict no-logs policy on the providers’ servers is a definite requirement, as it ensures that there are no records of your online activities.
• Streaming: Streaming is arguably one of the most popular online pastimes today. Most of the VPNs on this list offer reliable access to streaming sites such as Hulu, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and other popular streamers.

Check out more information about my VPN testing methodology.

How to Use a VPN to Connect to the U.K.

In order to gain a U.K. IP address and access U.K. content, do the following:

1. Subscribe to a VPN provider.
2. Download and install the VPN provider’s app(s) on your device(s).
3. Log into the VPN app.
4. Select a server in the U.K. and connect to it.
5. Enjoy your U.K. internet travels!

Can I Use a Free VPN to Access U.K. Content?

Unless you want serious trouble, you should steer clear of free VPNs.

It’s not that free VPNs can’t grant you online access to the U.K. It’s just that the cons heavily outweigh the pros. Bandwidth limits, inconvenience, and a lack of data privacy abound.

To begin with, free VPNs often don’t offer good internet access to geo-blocked streaming content. That’s because, while it used to be easy to connect to a streaming provider with a VPN, times have changed, and streaming video services have started blocking VPN IP addresses.

This means that a VPN has to work hard to continue to deliver access to geo-blocked streaming content, and free VPNs just don’t have the means to keep up.

Plus, when you try to connect to a free VPN, you’re often made to wait in a virtual waiting room, cooling your heels while you wait for your turn to connect to a server.

Once you’re allowed to connect, you’ll usually find that there’s a severe limit on the number of VPN servers you can connect to, or that the VPN will automatically connect you to a server of its choosing. If it forces you to connect to a server outside of the U.K., then what’s the point?

Even if you’re fortunate enough to connect to a U.K. server, the issues don’t end there. You might wind up using up your daily or monthly data allowance, meaning your access to geo-blocked content will immediately end. (Paid VPNs don’t impose limits like that).

When it comes to connection speeds, there are problems there, too. Many freebie VPNs throttle free users’ bandwidth, which will make your streaming media experience less than enjoyable.

Finally, “privacy” isn’t really in the vocabulary of a free VPN. In order to keep their servers up and running, they have to make money somehow. They usually do that by tracking your online travels and selling your data to interested parties. Some providers have even been caught injecting unwanted ads and tracking cookies into users’ web browsing sessions.

I’d stay away from free VPNs if I were you.

Conclusion

When it comes to getting an IP address in order to connect to your favorite services in the U.K., there’s no better VPN than my #1 provider, NordVPN.

NordVPN enhances your VPN experience through extensive security and privacy protections. Their connections are super fast, and I never worry about connecting to my favorite geo-blocked content around the world. I’ve used the VPN for years to protect myself and my family, and I’ve never been disappointed.

For more information or to subscribe, visit the NordVPN website.

British VPN FAQs