Best Free VPN UK in 2023 [Tried & Tested]

However, with so many free VPNs to choose from, it can be challenging to determine which one is the best free VPN UK. Therefore, a detailed analysis of VPNs is necessary to make an informed decision. Factors such as server locations, speed, and privacy policy must be taken into consideration to select the best free VPN UK.

A VPN encrypts your internet connection, making it more secure and anonymous. When you connect to a VPN, all of your internet traffic passes through an encrypted tunnel, preventing anyone from intercepting or monitoring your online activity. VPNs also change your IP address, making it look like you are connecting from a different location, bypassing geographical restrictions.

Among the Premium VPN providers, ExpressVPN stands out as the best free VPN UK. It offers a vast network of servers in over 90 countries, including the UK. ExpressVPN provides high-speed connections and has a no-logging policy, ensuring that your online activity remains private. Moreover, its user-friendly interface and excellent customer support make it the ideal choice for users.

3 Reasons Why you Need a Free VPN Service in the UK

A free VPN service can provide a range of benefits to internet users in the UK. In this article, we will discuss three reasons why you need a free VPN service in the UK.

1. State Surveillance

State surveillance is a growing concern in the UK, with the government increasing its monitoring of online activity. A free VPN service can help protect your privacy by encrypting your online traffic, preventing the government and other third parties from monitoring your online activity. With a VPN, you can surf the internet without worrying about anyone watching your every move.

2. Safe torrenting

Torrenting can be a risky activity in the UK, as it may lead to copyright infringement and legal action. However, with a free VPN service, you can safely and anonymously download and share files over the internet. A VPN encrypts your traffic and hides your IP address, making it difficult for anyone to trace your online activity back to you. As a result, you can enjoy torrenting without the risk of legal action.

3. Staying safe over public Wi-Fi

Public Wi-Fi networks are often unsecured, leaving you vulnerable to cyber-attacks and data theft. A free VPN service can protect you when using public Wi-Fi by encrypting your traffic and creating a secure tunnel between your device and the internet. With a VPN, you can browse the internet, check your email, and conduct online transactions without worrying about your personal information falling into the wrong hands.

5 Best Free VPNs for UK (2023 In-Depth Analysis)

Using free VPN UK services can be a bit risky. Sometimes a VPN that doesn’t charge you for the service makes you the product by selling your personal information. But, something is always better than nothing, and free VPN services will let you improve your online privacy. Therefore, the following are the 5 best free VPNs for UK:

1. ExpressVPN – Best VPN For Free Trial.

ExpressVPN is undoubtedly the best VPN to get a free trial, all hail its multiple British server locations, blazing-fast speeds, robust unblocking capabilities, and unparalleled security. The VPN offers 3000+ servers in 94 countries, among which multiple servers are located in 4 locations in the UK – present in Docklands, London, East London, and Wembley.

This VPN offers unlimited bandwidth to users, so you face no restrictions, whether you stream, torrent, or play games from within the UK or after connecting to a British server.

Unlike the free VPN UK services mentioned below, this VPN actually unblocks all popular streaming platforms for you. By connecting to its UK server, we could unblock Channel 4, Sky Sports, BT Sport, and BBC iPlayer With ExpressVPN. ExpressVPN allowed us to access all the UK-based sports channels like Sky sports and BT sports easily.

We could stream various episodes of your favorite show without any issues.

ExpressVPN’s speeds were pretty fast as well when tested. In our ExpressVPN speed test, the VPN delivered a download speed of 87.18 Mbps and an upload speed of 52.13 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection, which is pretty fast.

ExpressVPN provides several advanced security features to ensure that. With military-grade encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, a kill switch, split tunneling, and TrustedServer technology, your data is encrypted, and your internet traffic is shielded from prying eyes. ExpressVPN has a stringent no-logs policy in place, ensuring that your privacy is protected.

If you’re looking to access the geo-restricted content on devices like game consoles and smart TVs, ExpressVPN’s MediaStreamer is a smart DNS service that allows you to do so. It’s an extremely useful feature for streaming media on devices that don’t support VPN software directly. It supports 5 simultaneous connections on a single subscription.

ExpressVPN supports torrenting and works seamlessly with a variety of operating systems, including Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and routers. With browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, ExpressVPN is easy to use on any device. Whether you’re using a desktop, laptop, smartphone, or tablet, ExpressVPN is a versatile and reliable VPN solution that works well with virtually any device you might own.

ExpressVPN supports a wide range of devices, from computers and smartphones to gaming consoles and smart TVs. It can be used on Apple TV, Kodi, Roku, Chromecast, Xbox, and PlayStation. Additionally, ExpressVPN on Firestick can easily be installed, making it an ideal VPN solution for users with a wide variety of devices.

ExpressVPN costs GB£ 5.45/mo (US$ 6.67/mo) (Get 49% Off + 3 Months FREE on its 12-Month Plan) and offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, essentially serving as a ExpressVPN free trial period. ExpressVPN also provides 24/7 customer support via live chat, allowing you to get help with any issues or questions you may have.

For more information read ExpressVPN’s review.

2. Windscribe – Best Free VPN UK for Optimized Streaming.

Windscribe is the best free VPN UK for optimized streaming, as it comes with reliable speeds, effective security features, and above-average speeds. Its free plan includes servers in 10 countries, including 1 location in the United Kingdom with 2 free servers both in London named ‘Crumpets’ and ‘Custard’.

Windscribe lets you connect to 9 other locations too these are: Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Switzerland, and the USA.

The service imposes a 10 GB per month bandwidth cap, which can run out pretty quickly. However, it’s still much more than many free VPNs that offer a bandwidth as low as 500 MB per month. An added advantage that comes with this service is that you can receive an additional 5 GB of bandwidth if you tweet about this service.

Its UK server can be used to unblock geo-restricted British content abroad, though it is not effective for bypassing restrictions on streaming sites such as Channel4, Britbox, and more, it can grant you access to Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Sky GO easily.

Moreover, you can also unblock other streaming platforms as well if you’re in the UK. We could access Netflix US on its American server only after a couple of tries. So, it is very inconsistent when it comes to streaming Netflix.

The streaming experience was smooth. However, we did face a few lags at the start.

Even with a good data cap, this VPN offers inconsistent speeds. We conducted a Windscribe Speed test, and it gave off a download speed of 65.21 Mbps and an upload speed of 34.75 Mbps on our 100 Mbps connection, which is pretty low.

Windscribe’s speeds are suitable for streaming without buffering

Windscribe provides DNS-IP Leaks protection and AES-256 encryption, which is considered the most advanced encryption algorithm available. To ensure users’ information is not exposed, the VPN is also equipped with a “kill switch” that disconnects the user’s device from the internet if there is a VPN disconnection.

Windscribe also maintains a strict no-logs policy, ensuring that it does not store any user data. Additionally, it supports multiple VPN protocols, including IKEv2, OpenVPN, and SOCKS5, giving users more flexibility and options when it comes to online security.

In terms of compatibility, Windscribe is a versatile VPN that can be used on a wide range of operating systems, including Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS. It also offers browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Opera, making it easy to use on any device.

For those who want to use Windscribe on streaming devices such as Firestick, Roku, Chromecast, and smart TVs, the VPN is easy to configure and produces excellent results. Additionally, users can protect their entire network by setting up Windscribe on their router, allowing them to protect multiple devices with a single account.

Windscribe’s customer support team is available 24/7 via live chat, and the service offers both a Windscribe’s free trial and a paid monthly package. The free trial allows users to test out the service with limited access to features and servers, while the monthly package costs $9 per month. According to the refund policy, users can get their money back within three days of canceling their subscription if they are not satisfied.

Windscribe is the best free VPN with UK Servers that is suitable for streaming and torrenting. For a more detailed review, you can check out our Windscribe review.

3. TunnelBear – Best Free VPN for Beginners.

TunnelBear is the best free VPN UK for beginners with easy-to-use apps. But, it only offers 450+ MB of free data per month. However, you might get 1 GB of data if you tweet about TunnelBear. However, if you have moderate to high VPN usage requirements, TunnelBear won’t be suited for you.

TunnelBear is a pretty capable VPN with cross-platform compatibility and a server network encompassing 49 distinct server locations, including 1 location in the UK. We tried testing this VPN’s unblocking capabilities. Tunnelbear Free unblocks all the major British streaming services such as BBC iPlayers, British TV, All 4, and ITV Hub. Moreover, it did grant access to US Netflix and YouTube.

Streaming movies on US Netflix was difficult due to multiple lags.

As for speeds, we conducted a TunnelBear speed test, and the VPN delivered a download speed of 54.26 Mbps and an upload speed of 31.40 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection. Supports unlimited simultaneous connections.

TunnelBear provides quick speeds for streaming.

TunnelBear is a reliable VPN service with advanced security features that ensure safe online activities. Its GhostBear technology bypasses VPN bans while the deep packet inspection (DPI) feature enhances security. It offers a kill switch feature known as Vigilant Bear, which disconnects a user’s device from the internet in case of a VPN disconnection. With 256-bit data encryption, TunnelBear is secure to use on public Wi-Fi networks.

TunnelBear’s no-logs policy guarantees the protection of user data. It is compatible with various operating systems, including Windows, Android, iOS, and macOS, and supports multiple devices such as Roku and Firestick. Setting up TunnelBear on Kodi is also hassle-free.

Technical assistance is available round the clock via the live chat feature. While the free version provides 2GB of data, Tunnelbear’s subscription plans start at $3.33/month with a 30 days money-back guarantee. However, a free trial is not available, so it’s essential to check the refund policy before subscribing to any plan. You can cancel your subscription anytime if you are not satisfied with the services.

TunnelBear is a free VPN UK great for torrenting and prevents errors like “VPN not working.” It is a reliable service to use and to learn more about its features and performance, you can read a TunnelBear review.

4. Speedify – Best Free VPN UK for User-Friendly Interface.

Speedify is the best free VPN for UK for users friendly interface. This VPN offers servers in 36 countries that allow you to stay secure while residing in the UK. Amongst these countries, one is the UK.

This VPN’s free version offers a 2 GB data limit to users, which is typical of free services. Thanks to its Streaming Mode, it maximizes user speeds and unblocks various streaming platforms. We tested this VPN to check out its unblocking capabilities, and it could only unblock US Netflix and YouTube for us.

We tried using Speedify with several UK streaming platforms and became successful at unblocking BBC iPlayer.

While the speeds were average, we could still stream our favorite shows on iPlayer.

One great this about this VPN is that it offers torrent-friendly servers to users. With a download speed of 26.33 Mbps and an upload speed of 23.5 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection, there might be a few lags when users try streaming or torrenting with this service. Speedify supports unlimited simultaneous connections.

This is the average speed of Speedify speed test results.

Speedify is an excellent VPN option for users in the UK because of its robust security features. This free VPN service uses ChaCha 256-bit encryption, an automatic kill switch, and DNS/IP leak protection to ensure your privacy and security while using public Wi-Fi networks. Despite being headquartered in the US, Speedify adheres to a strict no-logs policy, which means that your browsing activity is never recorded.

One unique feature of Speedify is Channel Bonding, which allows you to combine your Wi-Fi connection with cellular data or 4G to increase your internet speed. By doubling the amount of traffic, this VPN helps to prevent connectivity issues and provide a seamless online experience.

Speedify has dedicated apps for Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS, and it supports up to 5 simultaneous connections. With its real-time statistics feature, you can keep track of your data usage and network details. The VPN is compatible with a wide range of devices, including desktops, laptops, smartphones, and tablets. It also works with routers that support OpenVPN, allowing you to protect all devices on your home network.

Speedify offers various pricing plans based on the subscription duration, with a monthly subscription costing $9.99. The VPN also provides a 30-day money-back guarantee, giving users a risk-free opportunity to test the service. Additionally, Speedify offers a free trial period of 7 days with every subscription. For technical assistance, you can connect to live chat available 24/7.

To learn more about this VPN service, just check out our Speedify review.

5. Urban VPN– Best Free VPN for Protection.

Urban VPN is the best free VPN UK for protection. It has over 80+ server locations in various countries of the world. Their servers are strategically located in countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, and many more. This ensures users can access content from all over the world while remaining protected by encryption and an anonymous IP address.

Urban VPN is a reliable VPN service that offers excellent features catering to the needs of internet users. The service supports torrenting, allowing for safe and anonymous peer-to-peer file sharing. Urban VPN offers excellent streaming capabilities, enabling users to access geo-restricted content from all over the world without limitations or buffering issues.

Using its UK servers of Urban VPN, users can enjoy unrestricted access to popular UK-based platforms, such as BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, Channel 4, and many more.  It supports unlimited simultaneous connections.

UrbanVPN’s servers are quick to unblock Netflix in no time

One of the benefits of this VPN service is its support for torrenting, as it offers servers that are optimized for P2P file sharing. However, users may experience some lag when streaming or downloading due to its relatively slower download speed of 29.58 Mbps and upload speed of 25.91 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection.

Urban VPN provides the best speeds for streaming online

Urban VPN provides top-notch security features to ensure users’ online privacy and safety. It uses the OpenVPN and IKEv2 protocols for encryption. The kill switch feature cuts off internet connectivity when the VPN connection drops unexpectedly. Urban VPN also strictly follows a no-logs policy, ensuring no user data is tracked or stored.

Urban VPN is compatible with various operating systems, including Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. It also supports popular streaming devices such as Amazon Fire TV Stick, Android TV, and Roku. This means users can enjoy a seamless and secure streaming experience on their preferred devices.

The Urban VPN is absolutely free and allows users to access some of their servers at higher speeds. As it is entirely a free app so you can use it without any limits of free trials. Overall, Urban VPN provides a reliable and affordable VPN service with excellent customer support via live chat and a flexible refund policy.

Urban VPN is a great choice for torrenting. To know more about it read our Urban VPN review

Free VPN vs Paid VPNs

The power of a free VPN service is that it’s free. When users get something without paying for it, they forget to expect a high-end service, and their quality bar is pretty low. But, if you pay for its subscription, you get better speeds, solid encryption, and extensive features.

Let’s not forget that free VPN services actually sell off user data to make their income, exactly what they shouldn’t do. Following are a few examples of these scenarios:

Some benefits of Premium VPNs:

Free VPNs can never be better than paid-for services. Let’s check out why:

1. Unlimited data and widespread network with servers in almost all of the major countries.
2. High-speed network connections with server load-balancing.
3. 100% secure with a strict no-logging policy for complete internet privacy.
4. Compatible with all major operating systems and devices.
5. 30-day money-back guarantee and 24/7 live chat support.

So, before going for free versions of VPNs, it’s worth knowing about paid services that won’t break your wallet and give you much better speed, security, and performance. We highly recommend ExpressVPN as the best premium VPN for the UK.

How We Tested the Free VPNs for the UK

We tested the free VPNs for the UK using various criteria to determine their effectiveness and reliability. We assessed the number of UK servers, their compatibility with UK streaming services, international speeds, and logging policies.

• The Number of UK Servers – We evaluated the VPN services based on the number of servers they had in the UK. We considered the availability and distribution of servers across different regions to determine their efficiency in providing uninterrupted and fast connection speeds.
• UK Streaming Services – We tested the VPN services’ ability to access popular UK streaming services like BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, and Channel 4. We assessed the streaming quality, buffering issues, and accessibility to the services using the VPN servers.
• International Speeds – We tested the VPNs’ speed and latency on international servers to determine their effectiveness in bypassing geolocation restrictions. We checked the speed and latency on servers located in different countries to determine their reliability in providing fast and stable connections.
• Logging Policy – We evaluated the VPNs’ logging policies to ensure they didn’t store any sensitive user information, including browsing activity, IP addresses, and personal data. We assessed the level of privacy and anonymity provided by the VPNs, ensuring that they did not compromise users’ online security and privacy.

What is the Best Free UK VPN for All your Devices?

The free UK VPNs mentioned above are compatible with all major devices such as Windows, iOS, Android, and free VPN Mac. You can easily download the apps for free VPN services on these devices.

Apart from these devices, you can also use free VPNs on other devices and operating systems like Amazon Firestick, Kodi, and more.

Browser Extensions

Free VPNs also offer easy-to-use lightweight browser extensions that directly change your IP address from the browser. For example, Windscribe has a popular browser extension that can compete with the best VPNs for Chrome and Firefox.

Most free VPN extensions only act as proxies. They lack encryption and only change your IP address.

iOS (iPhone, iPad)

All the best UK VPN free services mentioned above have dedicated apps for iOS devices that you can download from App Store directly. With an iPhone VPN, you can safely access public Wi-Fi while you are traveling. You will also be able to access geo-restricted apps on your iOS device with a VPN.

Apple devices are generally considered secure, but they do have vulnerabilities that Apple caters to as security patches in the updates. Using a free VPN with iOS devices, you can secure your devices and avoid ISP snooping in the UK.

Android

Android devices are a popular target of cyberattacks, vulnerable to malware, trojans, and viruses. With the best free VPN for Android in UK, you can secure your internet connection and avoid external threats. You can also use free Android VPNs like Windscribe, ProtonVPN, and others, as they have dedicated Android apps available on Google Play Store.

The providers mentioned above all work with Android OS and use encrypted protocols for data security.

Kodi

Kodi is a popular media player with thousands of add-ons to stream sports, movies, shows, and much more. With a free Kodi VPN in UK, you can access geo-restricted streams and add-ons to stream your desired content. It also secures your data from ISP snooping.

Windscribe, Hide.Me and Speedify are great options for UK Kodi users. Hide.Me also offers the OpenVPN option for LibreELEC Kodi.

Free VPN UK to Avoid

FAQs – Free VPN UK Services

Here are a few frequently asked questions about free VPNs for the UK:

Best Free Services for Other Regions

In case you’re visiting another country from the UK, here are a few free VPN guides for other countries:

• Best free VPN for China
• Best free VPN for the Philippines
• Best free VPN for Canada
• Best free VPN for Australia
• Free VPN for Bahrain

You can find a reliable paid-for service and free VPNs offering free accounts in our exclusive guides.

Final Thoughts

The best free VPNs UK for users include Speedify, Windscribe, and TunnelBear. While these services are more secure than most free VPNs, they offer limited servers, bandwidth, and data usage. It’s important to note that free VPNs may not offer the same level of protection as paid VPN services and may be more vulnerable to data breaches.

For the best online privacy and security experience, we highly recommend ExpressVPN for users in the UK. ExpressVPN offers high-speed servers in 94 countries, unlimited bandwidth, and reliable security features such as encryption protocols, a kill switch, and DNS leak protection. With a 30-day money-back guarantee, it’s a risk-free investment for anyone who values online privacy and security.