How to get a UK IP address with a VPN in 5 easy steps

You might want to switch your virtual location to the UK for various reasons. British holidaymakers or expats can use a UK IP address to access geo-restricted streaming services like BBC iPlayer or Sky Sports. They can also use it to access UK-based banking sites and avoid being flagged by security regulators.

In this guide, we’ll teach you how to acquire a real IP address from the UK using a Virtual Private Network (VPN). A VPN is software that encrypts all the traffic flowing to and from your device and routes it via an intermediary server. We’ll tell you which VPN providers are the best for getting a UK IP address and why you should use them.

We’ve summarized our findings below. You can read much more on each provider — and see all the testing details — later in the article

The best VPNs for getting a UK IP address:

1. NordVPN: The best VPN for getting a UK IP address. Plenty of British servers, best-in-class security features, excellent streaming ability, and a 30-day money-back guarantee. TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for a UK IP.
2. Surfshark: An affordable option and the best-value VPN. Connect as many devices as you like. Great unblocking ability and a strong security offering with multi-hop servers and an Alternative ID feature.
3. IPVanish: Ideal for privacy and torrenting. Plenty of UK servers and the WireGuard protocol for fast speeds. Offers any number of simultaneous connections. Cheapest monthly subscription of any provider on our list.
4. ExpressVPN: Tuned for fast and stable performance. It has a strong UK presence, its own connection protocol, and an app for routers. Great for streaming.
5. CyberGhost: Beginner-friendly apps and a hassle-free streaming experience. Hundreds of UK servers and very fast speeds.
6. PureVPN: Versatile service with lots of fast servers in the UK. Comes with automatic traffic obfuscation. Able to access the likes of BBC iPlayer, ITVX, and Now TV.
7. PrivateVPN: Servers in 63+ countries and fast UK speeds. Strong on privacy and security. Works with all popular UK streaming services.
8. ProtonVPN: Boasts exceptional performance, strong security, and a large network. Ideal for watching British shows while on vacation abroad. 10 connection limit and 24/7 support.

How to get a UK IP address

Getting a UK IP address and accessing your favorite British content from anywhere is very simple.

Here’s how to get a UK IP address using a VPN:

1. Register for a VPN service and download the relevant app to your device. We particularly recommend NordVPN.
2. Clear all cookies and restart your device.
3. Launch and log into the VPN mobile app or desktop client.
4. Connect to a UK server and wait for the connection to be made
5. Now you have a UK IP address and can browse the web at your leisure.

Wherever you are in the world—the US, France, Germany, Canada, Australia, India, Singapore, Thailand, or elsewhere—the process to obtain a UK IP address is the same.

Video: How to get a British IP address with a VPN

Our criteria for choosing the best UK IP address VPN

We’ve devised a testing process where we score VPNs on many different criteria. These are summarized below. You can get all of the details later in the article — together with charts comparing providers in various areas.

• Speed: We wanted to know how fast VPN providers were when we used their UK servers. To simulate the average user’s experience, we carried out several speed tests for each provider over the course of a day using a home broadband connection.
• Streaming ability: Just because a VPN has servers in the UK doesn’t mean it can access UK-based streaming services. We tested how well providers could access a range of geo-restricted streaming platforms.
• Security & privacy: A VPN should keep your online activity private and secure. To determine which providers could do this, we evaluated them using 15 criteria. These included the level of encryption they use and whether they logged user activity.
• Ease of use: Nobody wants using a VPN to be isn’t a stressful experience. With this in mind, we evaluated providers based on their user-friendliness and support for routers. We considered ten different criteria in all.
• Value for money: To find which providers offer the best value for money, we evaluated them against eight different criteria. These included the price of their subscriptions and the availability of any discounts.

Best VPNs for a UK IP: A snapshot of features

Best VPNs for getting a UK IP address

Let’s take a more detailed look at the best VPNs for obtaining an IP address in the UK:

1. NordVPN

Dec 2024

NordVPN operates approximately 400 UK servers in four cities, including London, Manchester, and Edinburgh. You can easily find these by opening the location menu from the NordVPN dashboard.

All NordVPN servers are RAM-only, meaning their memories are wiped clean on every reboot. This is great for privacy and further bolsters the provider’s no-logs claims. NordVPN undergoes regular third-party audits of its app and infrastructure to identify any security or privacy holes.

So far, so good. But what about streaming? We successfully used NordVPN’s UK servers to access BBC iPlayer, Channel 4, Now TV, and ITVX. The provider also excels at accessing different libraries on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.

To find out what sort of download speeds we were getting while connected, we carried out three speed test over the course of a day on a home broadband connection.

Tested download speeds while connected to NordVPN’s UK servers.

NordVPN’s download speeds were consistently fast enough for streaming 4K video. Across the day, its tested speeds were never more than 2.23 Mbps, slower than our base connection speeds, which averaged 49.13 Mbs. That’s a great result.

The provider makes it simple to create more complicated connections for specific tasks. For example, it provides one-click access to the privacy-focused Tor network, which usually requires users to download and install the Tor browser before using it.

If you’re connecting from a country where VPN use is restricted, NordVPN’s obfuscated servers will help disguise your traffic. This is handy for UK expats living abroad. Just click “Obfuscated servers” and NordVPN will do the rest. Alternatively, you can choose a specific country’s server from a drop-down menu. There are 16 available, including a UK option.

Multi-hop servers are similarly easy to use and route traffic through an additional VPN server for additional security. They are available in nine countries, including the UK.

The provider also has what it calls a “Meshnet” tool. This tool allows users to set up their own private networks of trusted devices, making it possible to share files directly or access devices remotely. It’s a neat feature, though it’s worth noting that you don’t have to subscribe to access it.

NordVPN uses strong AES-256-bit encryption by default, coupled with 2,048-bit SSL keys. We confirmed that it kept our true IP address hidden by conducting several IP, DNS, and WebRTC leak tests.

Other security and privacy features include a Dark Web Monitor, which will alert you if your personal details are found circulating on the Dark Web, and automatic Wi-Fi protection, which prevents you from accidentally connecting to Wi-Fi hotspots without first safeguarding your internet traffic.

NordVPN apps are available for Android, iOS, Linux, Windows, and MacOS. Subscriptions permit up to 10 simultaneous device connections. If you need more than that, you can manually configure a router connection. This will enable you to use devices like game consoles and smart TVs with a UK IP address.

BEST VPN FOR A UK IP ADDRESS:NordVPN is our first choice. A speedy, secure option that unblocks most UK sports and streaming services. Comes with a strict no-logging policy and a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full NordVPN review.

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2. Surfshark

Surfshark is one of the cheaper VPN providers, but it is still an excellent option for getting a UK IP address. It has 210+ RAM-only servers in the UK cities of London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Manchester.

Surfshark’s server list is displayed on the app’s dashboard, making it easy to switch between countries—there are 100+ to choose from.

In addition to its regular servers, Surfshark is one of those rare VPNs that has servers with static IP addresses. Five are available in London and options in Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Singapore, and the US. These allow you to use the same IP address rather than having a new one assigned to you every time you disconnect and reconnect.

Surfshark’s Multi-Hop servers route users’ traffic through an additional server. This provides an extra layer of encryption for users concerned about their location being traced. For a UK IP address, you can use a Multi-Hop server that routes your traffic through Germany first. Note that Multi-Hop connections are slower due to the additional routing involved.

To find out how fast regular Surfshark servers were, we conducted three speed tests over the course of a day while connected to a UK server.

Tested download speeds while connected to Surfshark’s UK servers.

The results were excellent. Surfshark was consistently fast, with an average speed of 47.17 Mbps. Across the day, its speeds were barely more than 2 Mbps slower than our base connection speed of 49.13 Mbs. This makes the provider an excellent choice for both streaming and gaming.

We tested Surfshark’s streaming ability by accessing UK TV platforms while connected. We successfully accessed BBC iPlayer, Now TV, Channel 4, and ITVX without issue. The provider also works with Netflix and Amazon Prime Video’s UK content libraries.

In addition to bypassing geo-restrictions, Surfshark is also great at navigating VPN blocks imposed by countries such as China. Its NoBorders mode is easy to enable and very effective.

Other features include a Rotating IP tool for additional security. As its name suggests, this feature rotates your IP address in session, making your true location even harder to trace. Split tunneling is available, and users can choose which apps and domains they want to include or exclude from the VPN tunnel.

There’s an optional kill switch that will prevent your IP address from being exposed if the VPN connection drops out, as well as an ad, tracker, and malware blocker. Users can choose between the WireGuard and OpenVPN protocols, though selecting “Automatic” is the best option for most users.

One of Surfshark’s most unique features is its Alternative ID tool. This allows users to create an alternative persona, complete with name, address, date of birth, and email. Choosing “Auto-generate” will create a random identity, or you can choose to “Edit manually” and specify a gender, age range, and country.

While the tool is great for signing up for services where you don’t necessarily want to use your true name and address, it’s worth pointing out that you can’t use it to create UK addresses. At the time of writing, the only available countries are Brazil, Portugal, Germany, Australia, Denmark, and the United States.

Surfshark uses effectively uncrackable 256-bit encryption as standard and comes with built-in leak protection. We tested this out by running a series of IP, DNS and WebRTC leak tests (which it passed).

Surfshark apps all have a full GUI and are available on Android, iOS, Windows, MacOS, and Linux. Subscriptions allow unlimited device connections, so you can share an account with friends and family.

Read our full Surfshark review.

BEST VALUE VPN:Surfshark is nice and affordable, but doesn’t skimp on security features or unblocking ability. What’s more, it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

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3. IPVanish

IPVanish operates 150+ servers in the UK. Around half are in London, with the rest spread between Birmingham, Glasgow, and Manchester. The relative load is shown next to each location, making it easy to find uncongested servers. You can also use the Ping figure to choose the fastest. In the example below, the UK server location with the lowest ping and load is London.

Once connected, you’ll be able to access a wide range of UK-based streaming services. We watched content from BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4, and Now TV. IPVanish also works with international streaming platforms like Disney+, Netflix, AppleTV, and HBO Max.

The IPVanish interface is straightforward and provides lots of information on connections. A graph shows how much data has been uploaded and downloaded in real time, and a map shows your current connection location.

The settings menu—represented by the cog-shaped icon in the above image—offers many configuration options. You can enable or disable the kill switch, choose between the WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2 connection protocols, and enable Threat Protection, which is an ad, tracker, and malware blocker.

IPVanish has a Scramble function that can help users connect from countries where VPNs are blocked. Note that you’ll need to use the OpenVPN protocol for this to work. Also, note that Scramble wasn’t effective in China when tested.

Split tunneling is available and allows users to specify apps or domains that they want to include or exclude from the VPN tunnel. This is useful if you want to use a streaming app or domain with a UK server but your other apps or domains with a regular internet connection.

IPVanish subscriptions include unlimited device connections and access to a SOCKS5 proxy. This can change your IP address but won’t encrypt your traffic. It can be useful if you need a speed boost — which you shouldn’t, given how fast IPVanish’s VPN connections are.

We tested our download speeds over the course of a day while connected to a UK server. The results were just slightly slower than our first two providers, though they were just as consistent. Like them, IPVanish is a great choice for uninterrupted streaming in 4K.

Tested download speeds while connected to IPVanish’s UK servers.

If we take an average over the day, our speed while connected was a very respectable 46.5 Mbps.

IPVanish has been around for over a decade, during which time it has purchased most of its network hardware. This means that, unlike most providers, no third parties have access to its servers.

IPVanish uses 256-bit strong encryption on the OpenVPN protocol by default, SHA512 authentication, and a DHE-RSA 2,048-bit key exchange with perfect forward secrecy. It stores no data other than when an account is registered for the first time, which puts it in a similar vein to NordVPN. We verified that IPVanish didn’t leak our location while connected by carrying out IP, DNS, and WebRTC leak tests.

IPVanish apps are available for Android, iOS, Windows, and MacOS. The IPVanish website provides instructions for configuring a router connection, which will enable you to use a UK IP address with VPN-incompatible devices on your home network.

In terms of cost, IPVanish offers the lowest possible option for anyone who wants to pay month-by-month rather than opt for a one or two year subscription. It represents superb value, and this is even more noticeable when you consider the Advanced plan, which includes a full terabyte of secure cloud storage and a sandboxed cloud-based browser that shields you from malware and trackers.

The sandboxed browser is especially useful. By isolating your browsing activity, it adds an extra layer of security to keep harmful content—like trackers and malware—away from your device. This feature is a big advantage for anyone doing high-risk browsing or needing extra privacy in countries with heavy internet restrictions.

When we tested it, the cloud-based browser worked well for private browsing. HD and 4K streaming weren’t as smooth as we’d like, and captchas showed up more often than expected, which could be annoying for frequent streamers. However, the secure, remote server access makes it an essential tool for users facing strict censorship – or who want to browse secure in the knowledge that the local network will not find out.

Amazingly, you can get the VPN and storage for a similar cost to 1 TB with other cloud storage platforms. This makes purchasing IPVanish a no-brainer for anybody who needs storage and a VPN.

UNLIMITED DEVICES:IPVanish works with any number of connected devices which makes it great for families. Very good speeds, thanks to WireGuard protocol. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full IPVanish review.

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4. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is a solid all-rounder. It offers reliable service, fast connection speeds, and top-notch customer support. It has plenty of UK-based server locations, though there’s a heavy London bias.

We tested our download speeds three times while connected to a server in London’s Docklands.

Tested download speeds while connected to ExpressVPN’s UK servers.

As you can see from the chart, ExpressVPN is very fast. It’s not quite the fastest overall, but it still has consistent speeds that are fast enough to handle everything from streaming and gaming to torrenting and VoIP calls.

While connected to a UK server, we were able to access numerous UK-based streaming services, including BBC iPlayer, Channel 4, BritBox, and Now TV. ExpressVPN also works with numerous international platforms, such as Max, AppleTV+, Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video.

The apps are very easy to use but perhaps a little basic for advanced users. The Options menu provides access to a kill switch, and the Advanced Protection tab allows users to specify whether they want to block ads, trackers, malicious sites, and adult sites. Split tunneling is available on a per-app basis.

ExpressVPN is one of the few providers to have its own connection protocol, Lightway. UDP and TCP Lightway options are available, and users can choose to use AES or ChaCha20 encryption with either. Alternatively, there’s either OpenVPN UDP or OpenVPN TCP to choose from.

ExpressVPN has servers in 100+ countries, making it a great choice if you like to travel between countries. The company reinstalls the software on its servers every week, so you can be sure they’re all running at peak performance. Furthermore, they are all RAM-only, so they cannot store data long-term.

ExpressVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands and has no data retention laws. It keeps no logs of user activity and has had its hardware and software audited by KPMG, PwC, and Cure53.

Users’ true IP addresses are hidden while connected, which we verified by conducting IP, DNS, and WebRTC leak tests.

ExpressVPN apps are available for Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. The Linux app is command-line only but still easy to use. Interestingly, ExpressVPN also has a router app. Running this on your router replaces the existing firmware and enables you to effectively have a UK location for any connected device. Using the router app is far easier than configuring a connection manually.

GREAT FOR STREAMING:ExpressVPN unblocks plenty of services both from the UK and elsewhere. It’s secure, too, with speedy, secure connections and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full ExpressVPN review.

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5. CyberGhost

CyberGhost has a vast server network spread across 100+ countries. In the UK, it has servers in London, Manchester, and — for some unknown reason—Berkshire. The provider’s server list is easy to access. Everything about the app is easy, making it an excellent choice for beginners and the tech-averse.

In addition to its regular servers, CyberGhost has servers optimized for various tasks. These include streaming servers, torrenting servers, gaming servers, and NoSpy servers (for additional privacy and security).

If we look at the options for streaming servers, we can see nine available in the UK. These are optimized for various popular streaming services.

We tried using the ITV-optimized server to access BBC iPlayer as an experiment. It worked just fine. We also successfully used the same server to access Channel 4, ITVX, and Now TV.

We had no problem accessing Netflix or Amazon Prime Video using the same server.

We didn’t experience any buffering while trying out different streaming services, but we carried out speed tests anyway.

Chart displaying tested CyberGhost download speeds while connected to a UK server.

We were glad we did, as it showed that CyberGhost was (marginally) the fastest provider on our list. It clocked an average speed of 47.5 Mbps and a maximum speed of 48 Mbps. CyberGhost is a great VPN for streaming and more demanding tasks like gaming.

One of CyberGhost’s unique features is its Smart Rules section. This enables lots of customization and is well worth investigating. Users can set up automatic Wi-Fi protection to keep their connection safe while traveling or list sites they want to use outside the VPN tunnel.

Most useful of all — particularly for anyone who uses a particular streaming, gaming, or torrenting app — is the ability to specify which apps should automatically connect to a VPN server when opened. Once set up, you can use an app like BBC iPlayer without having to go through the rigmarole of opening CyberGhost and connecting to a UK server first.

Privacy features include a kill switch and a malware blocker. It uses strong encryption to protect user-generated traffic and ensures users’ IP addresses are hidden. We verified that it kept our true IP address hidden by carrying out IP, DNS, and WebRTC leak tests.

CyberGhost has an independently audited no-logs policy and issues a quarterly transparency report that reveals any third-party requests for customer information. The company is headquartered and registered in Romania. As such, it isn’t subject to any mandatory data retention laws.

Apps are easy to use across platforms and are available for Windows, Android, MacOS, and iOS. If you have a router that supports OpenVPN, you can configure a CyberGhost connection on that, too. This means you can use a UK IP address with any connected device on your network.

Easy-to-use apps:CyberGhost is great for beginners. Hundreds of servers to choose from in the UK. Works well with most popular UK sports and streaming sites. Stores no logs and streams HD video reliably. 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full CyberGhost review.

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6. PureVPN

PureVPN has thousands of servers in 60+ countries. Its presence in the UK is in London and Manchester. You can decide which location to choose by consulting the ping times next to each.

However, if you want a UK IP address for a specific UK streaming platform, you can save time by using the excellent Shortcuts menu. This lists a massive range of streaming services and connects you to the server most appropriate for each — and then opens the website for the streaming service itself.

We tried it out with the BBC, and it worked great. Other UK-based options include Channel 5, ITVX, UK Netflix, UK Amazon Prime, Channel 4, and UK Disney Plus. If there’s a service you can’t find, you can easily create your own shortcut using the ‘Add Shortcut’ button.

The PureVPN dashboard is expansive, though it’s easy to determine what you need to do to establish a connection. Like many VPNs, the provider devotes a significant proportion of the screen to encouraging users to upgrade (to a password manager and ID protection in this case).

Beyond choosing a server, all the notable features are found in the Settings menu. Here, users can choose between the OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2 protocols or enable or disable the kill switch and/ or tracker blocker.

Split tunneling is available, though it only lets you specify apps rather than domains to include in the VPN tunnel. Obfuscation is enabled by default, which is great if you connect from a country such as China that routinely blocks VPNs.

With always-on obfuscation, you’d be forgiven for assuming that PureVPN was relatively slow. This isn’t the case, as we discovered when testing the provider’s download speeds.

PureVPN’s tested UK download speeds

The provider pegged fast speeds throughout the day. It was the second-fastest provider we tested. If you want a UK IP address for interruption-free streaming or gaming, then PureVPN is a good call.

Subscriptions are great value, particularly if you’re willing to sign up long-term. PureVPN’s five-year subscription is one of the longest available from any provider. Furthermore, signing up for it means you’ll only need to pay the equivalent of $2.16 a month.

The provider has a no-logs policy that’s been audited multiple times and uses strong encryption to protect user-generated traffic. We confirmed that it kept our IP address hidden while connected by carrying out a series of IP, DNS, and WebRTC leak tests.

PureVPN has apps for Windows, Linux, Mac OS, iOS, and Android. It also supports a wide range of router firmware, which is useful for securing your entire network. If you need any help, customer support is accessible over live chat 24 hours a day.

LAG-FREE TV:PureVPN is faster than many of its rivals, which means it’s ideal for data-intensive tasks like live streaming or torrenting. Has impeccable security credentials, affordable pricing, and a 31-day money-back guarantee with every subscription.

Check out our review of PureVPN for more details.

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7. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN has servers in 63+ countries, including the UK. Those who want a UK IP address can choose between servers in London and Manchester. Usefully, the ping time is listed next to each location so you can make sure you always opt for the fastest.

Although PrivateVPN has a relatively small server network, you’d be wrong to assume this limits its streaming ability. It’s a solid choice for the UK version of Netflix and works well with UK-specific platforms such as Channel 5, Channel 4, and ITVX. If you struggle to connect, turning the Stealth VPN feature on (see below) normally resolves any issues — though it will cost you a little in terms of connection speed.

So, how fast is PrivateVPN? Can users afford to lose any speed? To find out, we carried out three tests during the day while connecting to UK servers.

Tested download speeds while connected to PrivateVPN’s UK servers.

As you can see from the above, PrivateVPN was consistent—speeds fluctuated by no more than 1 Mbps—and fast. Its average speed over the day was only slightly less than our average base connection speed of 49.13 Mbs. This means that, even if you do need to turn Stealth VPN on, you’ll have plenty of leeway.

Of course, Stealth VPN isn’t designed for streaming. It exists to help those trying to connect from countries where internet use is restricted. PrivateVPN is one of the few VPNs that work in China, which shows just how effective the Stealth VPN feature is.

Other PrivateVPN features include a kill switch, strong encryption, and leak protection. We tested the last of these by carrying out IP, DNS, and WebRTC leak tests. PrivateVPN kept our true location hidden in all cases.

Unlike other VPNs, PrivateVPN acts as its own hosting provider. This in-house approach helps reduce the opportunities for malicious third parties to access your data in transit. PrivateVPN says that it keeps no records of user activity, though these claims have yet to be independently audited.

PrivateVPN apps are easy to use and offer plenty of options for tinkerers. Depending on their level of experience, users can choose between the “Simple view” and the “Advanced view.”

Eagle-eyed readers will notice that PrivateVPN has port forwarding available in its Advanced View — which is a relatively rare feature among VPNs. Users can also change the level of encryption used on their internet traffic and easily switch protocols.

Apps are available for macOS, iOS, Windows, and Android. The service can also be configured on routers compatible with OpenVPN. If you’re having any trouble, PrivateVPN uniquely offers remote control assistance.

Overall, PrivateVPN is a solid option for anyone seeking a UK IP address. It has a great feature set, considering that its long-term subscriptions come in at the equivalent of $2 a month.

GREAT SPEED:PrivateVPN is a good family choice. Unblocks many popular UK shows and allows up to 10 devices on the same account. A small network of servers but fast connections. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Here’s our full PrivateVPN review.

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8. ProtonVPN 

ProtonVPN stands out from the crowd by offering a free plan with unlimited bandwidth. However, to access the British servers, you’ll have to upgrade. This also increases the connection limit to 10 devices and unlocks the apps’ more advanced features.

The provider has 210+ UK servers in London and Manchester. Users can choose specific servers rather than simply favoring one city over another.

All of ProtonVPN’s UK servers are suitable for streaming and torrenting. We tried out their streaming ability by trying to access some popular UK streaming platforms. We had no problem streaming BBC iPlayer, ITVX, or Channel 4. The platform also works with UK Netflix and Amazon Prime.

We didn’t experience any buffering while testing the various streaming platforms, which is great. Nevertheless, we wanted to find out exactly what speeds we were getting while connected.

Chart showing the tested download speeds for ProtonVPN’s UK servers

As you can see from the above, ProtonVPN’s download speeds were remarkably consistent. Overall, the average download speed was only around 2.5 Mbps slower than our average download speed without a VPN, which is about as good as you could hope for.

In use, ProtonVPN feels like it has a lot going on. Once connected, there’s a graph showing the amount of data being uploaded and downloaded in real-time and a handy map showing you which country you’re connected to. Both of these help prevent the apps from feeling stale.

There are plenty of features to play with, many of which are concerned with maximizing users’ security and privacy. The provider has Secure Core servers available in Switzerland, Iceland, and Sweden. These are owned by ProtonVPN and located in high-security areas. Users can choose to route their traffic through them before connecting to a UK server for additional peace of mind.

The provider also offers an ad, tracker, and malware blocker, as well as app—and domain-based split tunneling.

Port forwarding is available, and a stealth mode is nestled among the protocol options. However, it’s worth noting that Proton VPN doesn’t work in China.

Users’ online activities are kept private with 256-bit AES encryption, and the provider has an independently audited no-logs policy. We confirmed that Proton VPN didn’t suffer from any IP, DNS, or WebRTC leaks by carrying out a series of tests.

ProtonVPN is undoubtedly a great provider, though it’s not the cheapest. All of its apps come with a GUI — even the Linux offering — and users can pay for subscriptions in Bitcoin or cash.

GREAT EVERYDAY SERVICE:ProtonVPN is a well-respected provider with a large presence in the UK. It delivers exceptional speeds and has no issues with popular British streaming services. Comes with plenty of security features and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our in-depth ProtonVPN review.

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VPN for UK IP: Our Testing methodology

We comprehensively evaluate each VPN provider using the criteria outlined below. Essentially, we consider everything each service can (and can’t) do. If there’s a particular feature you want, you’ll find it in the data below. For a quick run-down, consult the charts where we condense our findings to make comparison easier.

Speed

We carry out regular lab-based VPN speed tests to find out just how fast each provider is capable of going. However, while instructive, these results are far removed from what everyday users would experience.

To give a more realistic idea of provider performance, we tested each VPN’s download speeds using a regular home broadband connection (with an average speed of 49.13 Mbps). Furthermore, we only used UK-based servers to replicate users’ experience when accessing a UK IP address.

The results were excellent overall. All of the providers were extremely fast — certainly fast enough for streaming 4K video without buffering. CyberGhost pegged the fastest single score, and IPVanish the lowest (which itself wasn’t particularly low).

We normalized this speed data to give us a score out of ten with which we can more easily compare providers.

CyberGhost was the fastest for UK connections overall. PureVPN and Surfshark closely followed it. These providers will have the least impact on your base connection speed — though remember that all VPNs do have some impact.

Note that these results are specifically for the UK speed tests we ran, while our overall scores take into account the international speed tests, too.

Streaming ability

Let’s face it: Many people want a UK IP address to access geo-restricted streaming services like BBC iPlayer. With this in mind, we scored providers on whether they were able to access popular UK streaming platforms such as Now TV, ITVX, Channel 4, and, of course, BBC iPlayer. We also scored them according to their ability to access international streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. You can see the data we gathered below.

By combining the UK and international streaming platform access scores, we created an overall score out of 10 for each provider.

If you’re looking for the most suitable streaming VPN, then NordVPN should be your first choice. It excels at accessing UK and international platforms. We’d also recommend Surfshark and ExpressVPN.

Security & privacy

In the rush to snag the fastest and streamiest (©Comparitech) VPN, it’s all too easy to overlook how secure and private it is. Luckily for you, we care deeply about such things and test accordingly. In all, we evaluate VPNs using 15 different security and privacy criteria. You can see them all below.

We assign a score to each of the criteria to create an overall score out of ten. This makes it easier to compare providers.

As you can see from the above, all of the providers score highly. We wouldn’t recommend a VPN that didn’t provide adequate protection. However, there are some marginal differences. If you want the very best security and privacy, then NordVPN and Surfshark tie for the top spot.

Ease of use

Your overall experience of using VPN software depends on more than just the app. We consider a total of ten criteria when deciding how easy to use a particular VPN service is. You can see which factors we look at in the table below.

We score each criteria and then combine the results to create an overall score out of ten. This makes it easier to visually compare providers.

If you want hassle-free access to a UK IP address, then NordVPN is your best option. IPVanish is a great alternative.

Value for money

Getting value for money is more than simply finding the cheapest subscription (though that is important). You should also consider things like introductory offers and the number of permitted connections. You can see how we fully evaluate this property in the table below.

Scores for each metric are combined to produce a total score out of ten, which we can use to easily compare providers.

Several of our recommended providers offer great value for money. However, Surfshark is the pick of the lot, closely followed by IPVanish, NordVPN, and CyberGhost.

Using a free VPN for a UK IP address

One of the basic reasons for opting to use a VPN is the reassurance that your digital footprint will remain secure as long as you stay connected to a VPN server. After all, that’s why the software was developed in the first place: to keep people hidden on the internet. We’re aware that free VPN services are heavily advertised on app stores and elsewhere across the internet, but the experience they offer is shoddy, unreliable, and very rarely worth your time.

Free VPN services ship with a ridiculously small choice of servers, deploy feeble encryption standards, regularly indulge in bandwidth throttling, and, in some cases, mine your data to sell for a profit. We’re not saying it’s impossible to get a UK IP address with a free VPN, but it’ll be very cumbersome and may require a fair bit of trial and error. Plus, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to get an IP address for a specific city like London.

Having said that, you should know such services are registered businesses. They must make money to pay for staff salaries, the cost of maintaining servers, and other business overheads. A free product should raise eyebrows because there’s a catch involved. Some will bombard you with migraine-inducing popup advertisements or insert tracking cookies and sell your personal data to advertisers. Others might interrupt the service frequently to pester you into upgrading to a premium plan.

Even if you could find a VPN that provided a UK IP, the average speeds would likely be too slow to stream, game, or do anything that requires a reliable connection. Overall, we recommend investing a few dollars and obtaining a paid VPN service. Free ones don’t cut it.

Using a DNS server in the UK

Your IP address operates as a physical identifier of sorts, helping websites determine where you’re accessing the web from. But that’s just one (albeit popular) method.

Another common mechanism is via Domain Name Systems (DNS), which act as a hybrid registry of sorts. DNS addresses are used to verify domain names using their IP address.

When accessing geo-restricted content, most websites will check where the DNS request originates. If both your IP address and DNS server don’t originate from a country that allows access (such as the UK for BBC iPlayer), the host website or app will block you.

For all the recommended VPNs in this list, ensure DNS requests are handled accordingly. After a successful connection to a VPN server, your DNS requests will also be routed through the same encrypted tunnel. Many of them offer DNS leak protection to boot. Therefore, it’s not possible for snoopers to monitor your web activity simply by examining DNS requests.

Free VPN services ordinarily route your DNS requests through the encrypted tunnel but then use a public DNS service on the other side. This means search engines can track which websites you visit, thereby compromising online privacy.

On most device platforms, DNS servers can be manually configured. OpenNIC can do the trick for you; it offers free DNS servers in specific countries.

Gain a UK IP address with a VPN: FAQ