Only VPNs with powerful enough servers in the UK can give you a reliable IP address to access your UK-based online accounts. I tested over 30 VPNs and finally found a few that can do it with super-fast speeds and powerful privacy and security features to keep your data safe. I recommend ExpressVPN with its superior unblocking capabilities, fast speeds, and powerful privacy features. Since it’s also backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, you can buy ExpressVPN risk-free. If you don’t like it, you can get a refund easily. Get a UK IP address with ExpressVPN
Quick Guide: 3 Easy Steps to Get an IP Address in the UK From Anywhere
Get a UK IP address with ExpressVPN
The Best VPNs to Get a UK IP Address (Tested in 2023)
1. ExpressVPN — #1 VPN to Get a UK IP Address With Top Privacy Features, High-Speed Connections, and Unblocking Capabilities
Key Features: ExpressVPN is the #1 overall VPN to get a UK IP address because it has the best speeds, unblocking abilities, and privacy features. The TrustedServer technology prevents your visits to BBC and Sky Bet from being written to a hard disk, which reinforces the VPN’s no-log policy. As you browse the internet with a UK IP address, ExpressVPN also protects your online privacy and security with other features like:
Military-grade 256-bit encryption — keeps whatever you’re doing online with a UK IP address hidden from eavesdroppers, hackers, and other third parties Perfect Forward Secrecy — changes your encryption keys regularly to make it nearly impossible for your information to be compromised HMAC authentication — makes sure your data has not been tampered along the way as it travels from ExpressVPN’s server in the UK Threat Manager — blocks trackers that enable advertisers to show you personalized ads on Android British Virgin Islands jurisdiction — doesn’t have any data retention laws that govern 14 Eyes Alliance countries, backing up its independently-audited no-logs policy Network Lock — disconnects the internet when you’re stepping in and out of elevators to prevent UK sites from discovering your real IP address IP leak protection — ensures ExpressVPN’s encryption works as long as you’re connected to a UK server
All ExpressVPN’s servers are optimized for streaming including those in the UK. Options located in Docklands, East London, London, Midlands, and Wembley unblocked shows like Downton Abbey and The Crown on several British channels and streaming services like: I also found that ExpressVPN’s London servers were the fastest compared to other VPNs I tested. It reached 92Mbps despite the fact that I was connecting from 6,000+ miles away. Distant servers need longer to encrypt and send data, but this wasn’t a challenge for ExpressVPN as the delay was unnoticeable. During tests, entire episodes of Top Gear played without buffering on BBC iPlayer.
You can get one of ExpressVPN’s UK IP addresses on 5 devices simultaneously. I didn’t notice a delay on any devices when I used the maximum number of connections to watch Ed Sheeran music videos on YouTube. ExpressVPN is also compatible with most operating systems, but you can use the MediaStreamer DNS service if you have an incompatible device like a gaming console. This lets you watch British TV like Channel 4 and BBC iPlayer on platforms without native ExpressVPN apps. It only took me about 20 minutes to set up the online guide. The only drawback to using ExpressVPN to get a UK IP address is its slightly higher price than the other top VPNs I found. The most affordable option is the 1-year plan for $6.67 per month, but it’s worth the money because it’s super-fast. You won’t have to deal with sites, videos, and games lagging like other VPNs. If you get a UK IP address with ExpressVPN, your subscription will be backed by a reliable 30-day money-back guarantee. I asked for a refund via live chat and got my money back within 2 weeks. Get a UK IP address with ExpressVPN
2. CyberGhost — Optimized Servers in the UK Enable Flawless Streaming, Gaming, and Torrenting
Key Features: CyberGhost has optimized servers for streaming, gaming, and torrenting in the UK. The VPN tests these servers frequently so they’re efficient in unblocking UK channels, games, and P2P networks. They worked the instant I connected, without having to try several servers in the UK first like with most other VPNs.
If you can’t go without keeping up with UK news, CyberGhost also has an optimized server to access your Channel 4 account from overseas. You can even mark it as a favorite to connect easily next time. In addition to this, CyberGhost has optimized servers for many other UK and international streaming sites like: Although ExpressVPN was the fastest during my speed tests, CyberGhost came a close second. The optimized servers were 10% faster than the regular ones, but even the standard UK servers had plenty of speed for UHD. Servers within 3,000 miles of my real location averaged 62Mbps. This is enough for you to stream shows lag-free with servers in Berkshire, London, or Manchester from nearby European countries. When you’re on a trip somewhere far from the UK like Australia, I recommend using one of CyberGhost’s specialized servers in the UK. I found the gaming servers faster and smoother for high-bandwidth activities like playing World of Warcraft without laggy combat. Whether I use public WiFi or private internet to connect to one of 800+ UK servers, CyberGhost has many privacy and security features to keep me safe. These include:
Military-grade 256-bit encryption — protects your browsing data and other personal details from prying eyes and hackers NoSpy server — contains your personal information within privately owned data centers to avoid intrusion by third-party facility owners Dedicated IP address — avoids bans by UK online services that blacklist shared VPN IP addresses Block Content — restricts domains used for ads, trackers, and malware to protect your privacy Romanian jurisdiction — makes sure your data isn’t collected and shared with foreign intelligence agencies Audited no-log policy — keeps no record of what you did online with a UK IP address
If you use a Windows, Mac, iOS, or Android device, CyberGhost has apps that you can install within minutes. I connected immediately after signing in on my iPhone, selecting a UK server, and tapping on the power button. I also got a UK IP address on a maximum of 7 devices at once without noticing any compromise in performance. The VPN will give you a UK IP address from anywhere, except if you’re traveling in a country like China. All of its apps are blocked by firewalls but CyberGhost works flawlessly in all other countries where VPNs aren’t banned. If you’d like to try CyberGhost to access UK content, the 2-year + 3 months plan is the most economical at $2.11 per month. It comes with a 45-day money-back guarantee so, you can easily get a refund if you change your mind. I sent a 24/7 live chat message and was approved for a refund in under a minute. I got my money back within a week. Get a UK IP address with CyberGhost
3. Private Internet Access — MACE Protects You From Ads, Trackers, and Malware-Infested UK Sites
Key Features: PIA protects your privacy on British sites using MACE to block ads, trackers, and malware. So you can use your UK IP address without compromising your device or data. Since it blocked most unnecessary elements, sites like The Daily Mail loaded faster and used less data on my phone. Plus, I could read British showbiz gossip without annoying pop up and banner ads. In addition to MACE, PIA has other security and privacy features to keep you safe as you browse the web and shop on sites like Argos:
Military-grade 256-bit encryption — hides your real IP address and conceals online data like your credit card details from hackers and other third parties Subscription using gift cards — accepts gift cards from major brands available in the UK like Costco, Nike, and Apple for anonymous sign-up options Split tunneling — lets you watch BBC iPlayer while connected to a server in Southampton without having to disconnect to watch the local news in your real location Strict no-log policy — makes sure none of your browsing history or data is saved anywhere Kill switch — prevents your real IP address from being exposed if something unexpected cuts off your connection, like your device going to sleep
To unblock British channels, PIA has a streaming-optimized server in London. In the past, it wasn’t able to access BBC iPlayer but PIA has upgraded it and recent tests showed this specialized server can unblock it. PIA also has streaming servers worldwide that bypass geo-blocks on: If you use a UK IP address on several devices at a time, PIA allows up to Unlimited. I only tested on 7 but experienced no slowdowns. If you need more, you can install the VPN on your router. PIA has detailed setup guides for compatible routers but I submitted a support ticket for additional help. I got a response in 12 hours and had it set up on my ASUS router in 25 minutes. The regular server in Manchester took almost 3 minutes to load a single episode of Killing Eve on Netflix UK. It was understandable since the server was almost 7,000 miles away. But the streaming server in London loaded it in 30 seconds even though the distance didn’t change. The episodes also played without any buffers once they loaded. The best way to access UK content with PIA is with the 2-year + 3 months plan. It’s only $2.11 per month and has a trustworthy 30-day money-back guarantee. When I sent an email with the order number asking for a refund, I was reimbursed in 2 weeks. Get a UK IP address with PIA
4. NordVPN — Premium VPN With Cheap Prices on Long-Term Plans
Key Features: NordVPN is one of the best VPNs on the market — and you can get super cheap prices when you sign up for a long-term subscription. One thing to note, however, is that when it’s time to renew your subscription, prices do increase quite significantly. I did, however, have issues with using NordVPN’s native Fire TV app. Although it worked and unblocked some streaming services, it sometimes had issues unblocking Netflix US and kept crashing. I also found that NordVPN’s user interface for desktop devices was less user-friendly than ExpressVPN and CyberGhost. NordVPN has the following security and privacy features:
AES 256-bit encryptionkill switch that cuts your internet access if your connection to a VPN server drops suddenlybuilt-in ad and malware blocker, so you don’t need a third-party ad blockerfully audited no-logs policy (audited by PwC) – NordVPN doesn’t store any personal or identifying data while you’re connected to the VPN
In addition, NordVPN includes Threat Protection that protects you from viruses, infected websites, and trackers – and it works whenever you have the NordVPN app open, even if you’re not connected to a VPN server. With plans that cost as little as $3.49 per month, it’s easy to find a NordVPN subscription plan that suits your needs. You can also stream, torrent, and browse for free for up to 30 days with its money-back guarantee. I tested this to ensure that you’ll really get your money back. At first, the support team tried to give me an extended trial period — but they initiated my refund right away after I told them I wasn’t interested in the extension. I got my money back in 6 business days. Get NordVPN today NordVPN works on: Windows, Mac OS, Android, iOS, Windows Phone, Chromebook, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Fire Stick, and Android TV
5. Surfshark — Best Value for Money with Unlimited Device Connections and Fast Speeds
Key Features: Surfshark offers the best value for money out of every premium VPN on the market. You can connect an unlimited number of devices with a single subscription, which means you can use Surfshark on all your devices without getting logged out. I tested Surfshark’s simultaneous connections on 2 PCs, 2 phones, a Fire Stick 4K, and an iPad. My connection remained reliable on all 6 devices. Even while I was actively streaming on all my devices, my average speed was 112 Mbps — fast enough for UHD quality. When I saw the price of this service, I thought it couldn’t possibly have top-grade security features for such a low price, but I was pleasantly surprised. Surfshark has the following security and privacy features:
AES 256-bit encryption on all devices, with ChaCha encryption available for Android usersWireguard VPN protocol enabled by defaultdiskless, RAM-only servers to protect your privacy (no data can be physically extracted from any servers)kill switch (although this isn’t enabled by default)IP and DNS leak protection
Surfshark offers two-factor authentication (2FA) on your account. This feature requires you to enter an extra code before you can log in to ensure that only you can access your account. While Surfshark does have slightly fewer global servers than rivals such as CyberGhost and PIA, I didn’t experience any issues during my tests. I easily connected fast working servers every time, and I had excellent speeds for streaming Netflix in UHD, downloading torrents, and browsing the internet. You can try Surfshark for yourself with the 30-day money-back guarantee. It has plans that cost as little as $2.39. Requesting a refund is easy with Surfshark’s live chat feature. Although the support team asked why I wanted to cancel my subscription, I had no problem getting my money back (and it only took 4 days!). Get Surfshark today Surfshark works on: Windows, Mac OS, Android, iOS, Linux, Fire Stick, Samsung Smart TVs, LG Smart TVs, Android TV, Kodi, and selected routers
6. PrivateVPN — Stealth Mode Bypasses Anti-VPN Firewalls in UK Sites
Key Features: PrivateVPN’s Stealth Mode bypasses firewalls that block VPNs in China, the UAE, and even schools and workplaces. The setting makes your connection look like regular traffic to the firewalls in these places when you’re trying to get a UK IP address. Besides this, PrivateVPN also has:
Military-grade 256-bit encryption — prevents hackers from intercepting your UK connection Dedicated server in London — assigns a unique IP address for every connection to prevent being blacklisted by anti-VPN mechanisms on UK sites Anonymous payment option — accepts cryptocurrency to keep your identity private IP leak protection — makes sure your real location and IP address is not exposed when connected to a UK server
If you’re a beginner, PrivateVPN’s remote setup help via TeamViewer is there for help. But even without help, it took me less than 5 minutes to download a PrivateVPN app to my iPhone and connect to a UK server. You can also access UK sites on up to 10 devices with a single subscription. Aside from taking a few seconds longer to load the apps, using 8 devices simultaneously didn’t affect my online activities. This VPN has servers in London and Manchester to give you a UK IP address. Both also unblocked Channel 4 to play The Disappearance of April Jones outside the country. Additionally, PrivateVPN’s 200+ servers in over 63 countries were able to access several streaming services like: Since PrivateVPN’s network is small compared to other VPNs, I thought the servers in the UK would be congested and slow. But both servers were surprisingly fast as I made several video calls to friends in Birmingham. The Manchester server was only slightly faster than the one in London but the audio was clear on both and I had no pixelated visuals throughout the calls. PrivateVPN is one of the most affordable monthly VPNs in the market. But long-term options are more cost-effective with the 3-year plan only $2.00 per month. In fact, it’s the lowest price you’ll find on this list. If you get a UK IP address with PrivateVPN, you can rest assured that all the plans have a 30-day money-back guarantee. I sent an email when I wanted to test the policy and I was refunded in a week. Get a UK IP address with PrivateVPN
7. IPVanish — Browse With UK IP Addresses on Unlimited Devices Simultaneously
Key Features: IPVanish has no limit on the number of devices you can get a UK IP address on. I tested 12 at once, and classic UHD Mr. Bean clips on YouTube still played smoothly. This is great if you need a UK IP address on lots of devices since you’ll never be logged out. Every platform stays protected, and content like Enola Holmes on Netflix UK will still play lag-free. Additionally, IPVanish meets the high security and privacy standards you need to use Kodi with a UK IP address. For example:
Military-grade 256-bit encryption — works with the strongest SHA512 authentication algorithm to secure your data and prove it hasn’t been altered by hackers during transit VIPRE Antivirus software — keeps your device and data away from dangerous malware in risky add-ons for a small fee SOCKS5 Proxy — helps download and stream torrents faster
When I tested the VPN’s servers in Birmingham, Glasgow, London, and Manchester, the latter gave me the best speeds, averaging 55Mbps. However, the rest were also fast enough to watch Carys Gray’s outfit ideas on BusybeeCarys’ YouTube channel. Although it was a long-distance connection, I didn’t notice any lags when playing the channel. Between the 4 servers in the UK and 2,000+ more around the world, IPVanish instantly accesses UK-based content as well as being able to unblock Netflix US and global streaming services like: If you give IPVanish a try with a short-term subscription and decide it’s not for you, you can’t claim a refund. That’s the VPN’s only disadvantage but it can be easily overcome. Just subscribe to IPVanish’s 2-year plan for $3.33 per month and you’ll have 30 days to change your mind. I got my money back a week after I canceled my account using my online account dashboard. Get a UK IP address with IPVanish
How Does a VPN Get a UK IP Address?
Premium VPNs have servers around the world to provide IP addresses in the respective countries. The UK is a popular destination, so most VPNs have at least 1 server there and some top VPN providers have hundreds. A VPN server in the UK hides your real IP address and assigns you a new one based in the region. This opens access to ordinary UK websites that don’t block VPNs. But some sites like Netflix and BBC iPlayer have strong geo-restrictions and anti-VPN technologies. This means a UK IP address alone is not enough to access all UK content from abroad. A good VPN like ExpressVPN gives you a UK IP address that bypasses geo-blocks, maintaining super-fast speeds for watching UHD UK content from anywhere. It’ll also protect your privacy and security with top-notch features that prevent hackers and other third parties from stealing your data or eavesdropping on you. Get a UK IP address with ExpressVPN
Research Methodology: How I Tested the Best VPNs for a UK IP Address
I tested dozens of top VPNs in the world with these criteria to find the best ones to give you a UK IP address from anywhere: Get a UK IP address with ExpressVPN
Start Browsing the Internet in the UK With a VPN
A UK IP address won’t necessarily let you access UK content and accounts as if you were in the country. You need a VPN but most reduce your baseline speed so much that it’s pointless to try to watch or download anything. I found only a few VPNs let you use all the services you’re subscribed to in the UK reliably and with minimal slowdowns. Just remember that it’s still against the law to use a VPN to conduct or hide criminal activities. It’s also illegal to access censored content in countries like China and the UAE where VPNs are blocked. I don’t condone using a VPN to violate copyright or bypass geo-blocks used by streaming services. Review all laws and read the terms of use for all the services you’re subscribed to in the UK before using a VPN. Although proxies can provide a UK IP address, they can’t bypass geo-blocks in UK streaming services like BBC iPlayer and ITV. Additionally, proxies only reroute traffic from your browser or a specific app. VPNs encrypt data from every application on your device. Try changing servers and if it doesn’t work, contact your VPN’s customer service team. If that doesn’t help, get a different VPN. ExpressVPN is the most reliable VPN to hide your real location. It never once leaked my IP address during tests spanning several weeks.
Securely use unsecured WiFi without being hacked or eavesdropped on while accessing UK content or moving money from your Barclays account Access BBC news’ onion site safely on the dark web using Tor Play UK games that you play at home and are inaccessible in your current location Send and receive confidential documents privately when working from outside the UK Avoid location-based price increases on subscription services, flights, and more
PrivateVPN offers free dedicated IP addresses as well, and they change every time you log in. The same one isn’t assigned to you or another user more than once, so there’s less chance of it being misused and blacklisted by streaming services. ExpressVPN is the best to unblock BBC iPlayer abroad as all its UK servers worked 100% reliably during tests and it protects your privacy with TrustedServer Technology. The VPN also has top-notch speeds for streaming shows like Broadchurch, After Life, and Peaky Blinders. Plus, your subscription to the VPN is backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee so it’s absolutely risk-free. Since there are so many, ExpressVPN’s UK-based servers are never congested and always super-fast. All of them passed IP address leak tests and unblocked major UK streaming services like BBC iPlayer, ITV, Channel 4, NOW, and more. To maintain low costs, most free VPNs don’t offer servers in the UK anyway. This means you won’t be able to get an IP address there. Even if there is one, it’s usually overcrowded and too slow for even simple things like browsing for a new jacket on Debenhams UK. But the worst cases are the malware brokers disguised as free VPN providers. Their “Free VPN apps” collect and sell your data on the black market. This can lead to identity theft, or crimes being committed in your name. Some inject viruses that hijack your device or monitor your activities until they can steal sensitive information. It’s not worth the risk so I recommend taking advantage of a premium VPN’s refund policy to use it for free. CyberGhost has the longest money-back guarantee I found, giving you 45 days to use the service. When you no longer need a UK IP address, just contact support via 24/7 live chat and ask for a refund.
Get a UK IP address with CyberGhost Of them all, ExpressVPN is the overall best since it unblocks most UK streaming services with top-notch privacy features and high-speed connections. You’re also protected by a 30-day money-back guarantee when you get a UK IP address with ExpressVPN. If you decide it’s not for you, it’s easy to get a refund approved instantly.
