Installing a Virtual Private Network or VPN software can enhance your online privacy and security, and unlock restricted content in the UK or anywhere else in the world. But with so many options available, it's easy to get lost inside the VPN world, especially with all the technical jargon floating around! But don't worry, this article will run through exactly what you need to know.
We'll discuss everything from the number of servers and server locations to compatibility, connections and security features. We've also included a list of the 10 best VPN software in the UK, from popular companies such as SurfShark, NordVPN and CyberGhost, which are available to buy online from Amazon. Boost your online privacy with a VPN software today!
Quick List - Top VPN Software
Surfshark
Great Value for Money, Reliable VPN Service With Unlimited Connections in a Single Subscription
NordVPN
Hides and Protects Your Online Activities While Ensuring Lightning Fast Connection
ExpressVPN
Speedy Connections, Ironclad Security, and Great Unblocking No Matter Where You Are
ProtonVPN
The Most Flexible Free Option for Maintaining Privacy Online With No Limit on Data Usage
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Table of Contents
To understand how VPN software works, you first need to know how a regular internet connection works. To visit a website, you type in the web address, requesting to load the page. This request is sent from your device via the router to your internet service provider (ISP) and then to the website you're trying to visit. Once approved, the data is sent back to your ISP, through the router, and to your device to load the page.
When you use VPN software, it encrypts any internet traffic that goes through it. The encrypted request then goes through the same process as above, but the VPN server unscrambles the request on the website you want to visit. Data is sent from the website to the VPN, which scrambles it before going through your ISP, and then the VPN software unscrambles the data again so that the website can be displayed.
In essence, using VPN software while using the internet means that no one except the VPN operator can view your activities. But even so, all VPN firms claim to have protocols in place that make it impossible to trace who is doing what on their networks. A VPN software can also route your requests through any location, allowing you to access content on different networks.
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As VPN software providers prioritise different features, it's worth considering why you need one in the first place. If maintaining anonymity and security online is your top priority, you will need to look at the software technology. Solid encryption protocols are crucial for a secure VPN. VPN software uses different ways to keep your data hidden, but the WireGuard protocol is currently a gold standard.
Furthermore, it has some of the fastest connection speeds available. Because of these reasons, certain VPN software providers like NordVPN and ExpressVPN have developed their own protocols based on WireGuard, which aims to provide even more robust protection for its users. Next, check the VPN provider's privacy policies.
A no-logging policy means that the provider commits to keeping only the most essential details of your surfing without anything that can link back to you. It's also good to know where your service provider is registered to avoid intrusive authorities. The best option is to go for ones registered in a country that doesn't require data logging, such as Panama, the British Virgin Islands, and the Netherlands.
If you often stream online from sites like Netflix, YouTube, Amazon, or Hulu, a reliable, high-speed VPN with unlimited bandwidth and great unblocking can guarantee uninterrupted, seamless viewing. Just make sure the service is compatible with the streaming platforms you regularly visit.
Using a VPN can even help you to access geographically blocked content. One of the reasons VPNs have grown so popular in recent years is that they can be used to unlock, for example, Netflix shows that are only available in specific locations. In order to have more flexibility in browsing worldwide catalogues, it's also worth choosing a VPN that has at least 2,000 servers across more than 50 countries.
Want to browse securely on multiple devices? Check the number of devices the software allows you to connect to simultaneously. Some VPNs will only let you connect up to 5, whilst some offer unlimited connections. Remember that to protect all of your devices, you will need to connect each one to the VPN software. So if you have more than one device, you will need a license for each.
Keep in mind that although most VPNs support platforms like iOS, Mac, Android, and Windows, not all do. If you're using a Windows computer but have an iPhone or iPad, you'll want to make sure that your VPN is compatible with both. You can protect all of your gadgets at home all at once if you install a VPN on the router, but again, make sure it is compatible with all your devices and platforms.
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Using any VPN will give you a solid layer of security, but if you’re big on P2P services or other activities where you want to ensure your connection won't be exposed, be on the lookout for a service with a kill switch and DNS leak protection.
A kill switch does exactly what the name suggests. It monitors your VPN connection and - should it ever unexpectedly drop - will cut off your computer from the internet entirely. That way, you can guarantee that your internet connection is always secure and protected, even in cases of technical errors.
A DNS leak is a security flaw that may allow your internet service provider to identify your real IP despite using a VPN. Most VPN services will protect against this, but not all of them are equally effective. Make sure to pick a VPN with a good track history and test your connection regularly using one of the many free testing services available on the internet.
You can get a VPN software for free if you want to save some pounds, but free versions have limitations on bandwidth, streaming, privacy and security features. If you need a VPN just for an added layer of online privacy, you only have one device, and you don't require streaming or P2P services, a free VPN could be sufficient.
It's also useful if you're travelling somewhere with heavy internet censorship or you just want to stay safe while being connected to public networks. Because of these reasons, we've included some free options in our ranking too.
However, if you want your VPN software to have the complete set of features, consider a paid monthly subscription. Typically, the longer you sign up for, the cheaper it gets. For example, Surfshark costs less than £2 per month if you sign up for its two-year plan. So if you know you'll be needing your VPN for a long time, sign up for a longer-term subscription to enjoy more affordable monthly pricing.
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Even the most cutting-edge software is prone to glitches from time to time. Should anything ever come up, a reliable customer service team that you can contact immediately to look into your issue and get your VPN up and running again is very important to help you stay securely connected.
We recommend checking the type of customer support the VPN service has in place. It could be anything from email support which can take a little longer to connect you with someone, to a live chat feature that's available 24/7.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Surfshark VPN Software | ![]() | Great Value for Money, Reliable VPN Service With Unlimited Connections in a Single Subscription | |
2 | NordVPN VPN Software | ![]() | Hides and Protects Your Online Activities While Ensuring Lightning Fast Connection | |
3 | ExpressVPN VPN Software | ![]() | Speedy Connections, Ironclad Security, and Great Unblocking No Matter Where You Are | |
4 | ProtonVPN VPN Software | ![]() | The Most Flexible Free Option for Maintaining Privacy Online With No Limit on Data Usage | |
5 | CyberGhost VPN Software | ![]() | Easy to Use, Excellent Privacy Policies, Fast Connections, and Great for Streaming | |
6 | Mullvad VPN Software | ![]() | The Best Choice for Maintaining Complete Anonymity, With Exceptional Privacy, Security, and Speeds | |
7 | Private Internet Access VPN | ![]() | More Than 10,000 Servers Worldwide and up to 10 Simultaneous Connections | |
8 | IVPN VPN Software | ![]() | Open Source VPN Software Developed by Computer Security Experts With Your Privacy in Mind | |
9 | IPVanish VPN Software | ![]() | Solid VPN Solution With 75+ Server Locations and Reliable Security Features | |
10 | TunnelBear VPN Software | ![]() | The Ideal Choice for Novice Users, With Good Privacy and No Logging Policies |
There are plenty of reasons to love Surfshark, but we'll start with its affordable subscription plan. We also like that the company seems to be continually enhancing their services, security, and features, which shows that they listen to its customers. More importantly, Surfshark is all business when it comes to protecting your online identity.
Aside from that, for the low price, you can connect unlimited devices, and the software supports all the leading platforms. So if you have a MacBook laptop and a Samsung tablet, both of them would be able to enjoy an encrypted connection. In fact, you can let friends and family members use your subscription too!
You've probably heard of NordVPN as they're one of the OGs for VPN software. Having been in the business for over 10 years, it excels in all the essential aspects. For starters, their broad network of more than 5400 servers in over 80 locations guarantees lightning-fast connection wherever you are.
Security and privacy are also at the top of NordVPN's priorities. Users have the option to enable Double VPN, which is valuable if you often utilise public networks or are a frequent user of P2P services. For an added level of security, they also have a solid DNS leak protection and kill switch option.
ExpressVPN has been around for some time and continues to be a popular choice amongst users. It's easy to see why - the platform has the best of all the fundamentals - speedy connections, a variety of server options, ironclad security, great privacy practices, and excellent unblocking for streaming.
Plus, the platform is consistently improving on its features and extras to enhance its overall usability. With an extensive global network, you can count on ExpressVPN to keep you protected wherever you are while keeping you connected at impressive speeds no matter which platform your device is using.
It's pretty rare to find a truly free and reliable VPN service as most providers only offer a free trial option, which often comes with a time limit. So the fact that ProtonVPN's lowest subscription tier comes with no limit on data usage and is completely free, we just had to include it in our ranking!
The catch is that you can only access three server locations, including the US, Netherlands, and Japan, with only one device at a time. If you're on a budget and only have one device to protect, the free version will be more than sufficient as it allows you to browse as much and as often as you wish while keeping all your activities private.
CyberGhost's user-friendly, uncomplicated interface hides a treasure trove of useful features and functions. Depending on what you want to do, the software immediately connects you to the right server, making this another great choice for those who aren't tech-savvy.
You can connect up to 7 devices simultaneously with just one tap, even if they operate on different platforms. It's also a great option if you often stream content online, as you can gain access to many popular streaming sites and unlock region-specific content.
For those who want complete anonymity, Mullvad doesn't require users to provide any personal information when signing up. All you need to set up an account is a unique account ID that the website generates for you.
Employing both OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols, Mullvad is powered by many privacy-friendly technologies. These include multiple layers of leak protection to help you stay in stealth mode no matter what happens. Overall, Mullvad excels in protecting your privacy but, unfortunately, falls behind in unblocking streaming content.
Boasting over 10,000 servers worldwide, Private Internet Access or PIA is ahead of the competition, particularly when it comes to international connectivity. But although this is impressive, it would mean nothing without the software's superb suite of privacy features and security protocols to protect its users.
For instance, their kill switch function means that you'll always be safe from making unprotected connections. Plus, with SmartDNS recently being added to their list of features, we can also safely recommend PIA for unlocking region-restricted content. Our only issue is that the provider doesn't seem to have a reliable customer service system in place.
One of the more secure VPNs on our list, IVPN, has everything you may need to keep your connection secure at all times. Next to a kill switch, IVPN also offers a built-in firewall and other obfuscation methods, which will enhance your privacy when browsing. You also do not need an email to sign up and can pay your fee in select cryptocurrencies!
Another plus is that the entire software is open source, so if you know your way around code, you will be able to fully understand what happens to your data at any point. Unfortunately, it doesn't do much in terms of unblocking streaming content.
With over 2,000 servers in 75+ locations, IPVanish offers a wide variety of servers to choose from. This is ideal if you need to switch to locations all over the world for testing purposes or for accessing region-specific content.
Unfortunately, most of its servers cannot reliably unblock streaming services like Netflix or Hulu, severely limiting its server selection for most end-users. And while the team at IPVanish has recently managed to fix their server speed problems, the user experience unfortunately still needs some much-needed fixing.
We all browse the internet, but not all of us are familiar with technical jargon. If you're looking for a straightforward, no-nonsense VPN software that prioritises privacy and security over fancy features and complicated IT talk, look no further than TunnelBear!
The company conducts annual security audits and publishes the results so users can rest easy knowing that they're well protected. They even have a free subscription option which can be an excellent way for new users to test out the platform without commitment. However, it's a bit behind with unblocking streaming sites and customer service.
No. 1: Surfshark|VPN Software
No. 2: NordVPN|VPN Software
No. 3: ExpressVPN|VPN Software
No. 4: ProtonVPN|VPN Software
No. 5: CyberGhost |VPN Software
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