VPNs, or Virtual Private Networks, have become an incredibly useful tool for browsing the web safely and securely. VPNs work by routing your internet traffic through a secure ‘tunnel’, which hides your IP address, meaning that others cannot see your geographical location, track your online activity or access your personal information. PVNs connect you to a server outside of the country you are in to anonymise your IP – websites can see the IP you are connecting to, but not your own, so it appears to the website you are visiting that you are based in a different country. If you are using public Wi-Fi, VPNs are essential to keep your private data safe from hackers, especially if you need to check your email, bank account, or anything else potentially involving your private data. 

They offer other great benefits too, like being able to watch TV shows online that aren’t available in the UK, but are on US Netflix, or indeed any other country. VPNs can also stop data and bandwidth throttling by your ISP, avoid online price discrimination based on your cookies, improve gaming experiences, and give you access to web content that might be blocked depending on your location.

Not every VPN service is good – there are some that, while they make all the above promises, don’t deliver, and some unscrupulous VPN providers may even collect your data to sell to data brokers – the very thing you are trying to avoid. So stick with a verified, well-known VPN provider with a proven track record. They aren’t usually free, but a good VPN provider offers a valuable service that is worth sparing a few pounds a month for. Many do offer low introductory rates or deals if you sign up through an affiliate, so browse around for the best deal. Here are some of our top VPN providers below.

The Switzerland-based non-profit-run Proton offers a variety of resources, including end-to-end encrypted email, cloud storage, a calendar, password manager, Bitcoin wallet and of course, a VPN. Their VPN is based in Switzerland, which has some of the strictest privacy laws in the world – they don’t keep a log of the websites you visit, record session lengths, or monitor your IP address. 

Some very cool things about Proton are that they are open-source, their code undergoes regular security audits, the company runs a ‘bug bounty’ program where people get rewarded for discovering bugs in their code, and they also offer extra security to people in countries like Iran and Russia.

Proton’s monthly plans go from £3.59 per month if you sign up for 24 months, or go for a rolling contract at £8.09 per month. This includes other Proton products like their secure cloud storage, Proton Drive, and Proton Mail.

Get Proton VPN here.

If you have ever listened to a podcast or watched a YouTube video, you have probably heard of NordVPN! Founded by two friends in Lithuania, they are an innovator in the VPN industry and have pioneered the use of custom VPN protocol NordLynx, which offers faster speeds and better security than some other VPN providers. Their Meshnet service allows people to create their own private, encrypted networks where they can play games, share files and more over a secure connection. Much like Proton, their apps are regularly tested for security and reliability, and they have a bug bounty program in place. Their Plus and Ultimate subscriptions also include an ad and malware blocker, multi-hop connections that offer double encryption, and Threat Protection Pro, which works even when the VPN is not turned on.

NordVPN starts from £2.69 per month for Basic, £3.49 for Plus, and £5.39 for their Ultimate package.

Get NordVPN here.

ExpressVPN is a little more expensive than some of the other VPN providers, but they do have exceptional international download speeds, which can be helpful if you rely on a high-speed connection, e.g. for gaming. ExpressVPN offers similar features to other VPNs, such as an audited and proven no-logs policy, regular security audits and double encryption. ExpressVPN is considered one of the most reliable VPNs available, and this is reflected in the price, starting from £4.03 per month if you sign up for 24 months, payable in advance – their rolling monthly subscription is £10.46. They do offer helpful addons like a password manager, ad blocker and 24/7 live chat support.

Get ExpressVPN

Another well-known name thanks to sponsorships, Surfshark is very popular for individual users and small businesses. Like Proton, they offer top security protocols like WireGuard and RAM-only servers that automatically clear all data once you log off. Surfshark also lets you use it on an unlimited number of devices per subscription, making it ideal for businesses or families. There are also optional add-ons available, including antivirus, identity theft monitoring, and search tools. Some speed tests reveal that Surfshark is not quite as fast as other VPNs such as NordVPN or ExpressVPN, but it should be fine for your streaming and downloading needs. 

Surfshark’s pricing is a little confusing, with three price tiers for one month, 12 months and 24 months, and three different subscription levels Starter, One, and One+. The cheapest option is Surfshark Starter at £1.49 per month if you sign up and pay for 24 months in advance, going up to £2.99 per month for 24 months for Surfshark One+. Rolling monthly subscriptions are a little more pricey with Starter at £12.29 per month and One+ at £15.39 per month. 

Get Surfshark here.

When you are choosing a VPN, look at the security features they offer – our list above should give you a good idea of what to look for, i.e. no-logs policies, RAM-only servers, strong encryption, a kill switch that protects your privacy if the connection drops, and efficient protocols like Wireguard. Speed is also crucial, especially if you plan to stream, game, or download large files – the ones listed above have good, consistent speeds overall, but always bear in mind that using a VPN is going to slow down your internet speed somewhat due to the way it works. Encrypting data, connecting through VPN servers and older VPN protocols can all affect connection speed. Look at the VPN providers’ track record of independent audits, transparent privacy policy and good customer service, as well as reviews to help you choose the best VPN for your needs.