Software
Best VPNs for the UK in 2026: NordVPN vs Surfshark vs Proton vs Mullvad
A VPN can be useful for privacy, travel, public Wi-Fi and accessing services while abroad, but there is no single best choice for everyone. The better question is which provider fits the way you actually use it.
Quick answer
- NordVPN – a strong all-round option for UK users who want a large network, streaming support and straightforward apps.
- Surfshark – worth comparing if you have lots of devices because one subscription supports unlimited simultaneous connections.
- Proton VPN – the standout free option here, with no data cap on its Free plan; the paid service adds a much larger network and streaming support.
- Mullvad – a privacy-first choice with numbered accounts, a flat €5 monthly price and a deliberately minimal approach to customer data.
- Do not choose a free VPN just because it costs nothing. Check who runs it, how it makes money, what it logs and whether its claims have been independently assessed.
What a VPN Actually Does (and Doesn’t Do)
A VPN creates an encrypted tunnel between your device and the VPN provider, then routes your traffic through a VPN server. Your ISP can generally see that you are connected to a VPN, plus connection timing and data volume, but not the normal destination details inside the tunnel. Websites see the VPN server’s public IP address rather than your home IP address.
That does not make you anonymous. Websites can still identify you through logins, cookies, browser fingerprinting and other account data. A VPN is one privacy and security tool, not a replacement for HTTPS, software updates, strong passwords or sensible phishing awareness.
VPNs do
- ✓ Encrypt traffic between your device and the VPN provider
- ✓ Add protection when you use an untrusted network such as public Wi-Fi
- ✓ Let you appear to be in another country
- ✓ Bypass some geo-restrictions on streaming
VPNs don’t
- ✗ Make you anonymous online
- ✗ Protect you from malware or phishing
- ✗ Stop Google/Facebook tracking you if you’re logged in
- ✗ Guarantee no data is logged (depends on provider)
The Best VPNs for UK Users
NordVPN
Pricing: Long-term plans are usually sold at promotional rates, with renewal pricing potentially higher, so check the current renewal figure before buying.
Network: NordVPN currently lists 8,400+ servers in 167+ countries.
Devices: Suitable for a typical household, but check the current simultaneous-device allowance if you plan to cover many devices at once.
Streaming: NordVPN supports streaming use, although access to individual services and regions can change as platforms update VPN blocking.
Privacy: Its no-logs practices have undergone six independent reviews, with the latest review carried out by Deloitte in 2025.
Best fit: Someone who wants a polished, general-purpose VPN rather than the most stripped-back privacy model.
Mullvad
Price: €5/month including VAT, regardless of whether you pay for one month or longer; Mullvad currently shows roughly £4.30 as the GBP equivalent.
Accounts: You use a numbered account rather than creating a normal profile with an email address.
Devices: Up to 5 devices per account.
Network: Smaller than the biggest commercial VPN networks, so it makes more sense to judge Mullvad on privacy design than raw server-count marketing.
Privacy: Mullvad says it keeps no activity logs and publishes details of independent security audits, including several assessments in 2026.
Best fit: Someone who values minimal account data, simple pricing and privacy more than streaming extras or long-term discounts.
Surfshark
Pricing: Surfshark offers 1-, 12- and 24-month subscriptions. Promotional prices change, and the renewal price can be different, so check both before paying.
Network: 4,500+ RAM-only servers in 100 countries.
Devices: Unlimited simultaneous connections on one subscription, which is unusually useful for larger households.
Streaming: Surfshark supports streaming use, but individual services can change how they detect and block VPN connections.
Privacy: Surfshark operates a no-logs policy and says Deloitte independently verified it again in 2025.
Best fit: A household with many phones, laptops, tablets or streaming devices that wants to avoid counting device slots.
Proton VPN
Price: A genuine Free plan is available with no data limit; paid plans add the full server network and extra features.
Free plan: Servers in 10 countries, one device at a time and no data cap. Proton chooses or changes the free server under its current Free-plan rules.
Paid network: 20,000+ servers in 140+ countries, with up to 10 devices connected at once.
Streaming: Proton only guarantees streaming support on its paid Plus servers, not on the Free plan.
Privacy: Proton’s apps are open source and independently audited, and its no-logs policy applies to both free and paid users.
Best fit: Someone who wants a credible free VPN without a monthly data allowance, or who may later upgrade within the same privacy-focused ecosystem.
A More Useful Comparison Than a Speed Ranking
VPN speed depends on your broadband connection, device, distance to the server, server load and protocol. ShireQuid has not run a controlled lab test across these providers, so it would be misleading to label one “Excellent” and another merely “Good”. Instead, compare the features that are less dependent on a one-off speed test.
| VPN | Network / devices | Useful distinction |
|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | 8,400+ servers in 167+ countries | Large network and broad feature set |
| Surfshark | 4,500+ servers in 100 countries; unlimited devices | Particularly attractive for larger households |
| Proton VPN | Free: 10 countries / 1 device; paid: 20,000+ servers in 140+ countries / up to 10 devices | Strong free tier with a clear upgrade path |
| Mullvad | Up to 5 devices; smaller privacy-focused network | Minimal account data and flat pricing |
Which One Is Right for You?
| If your priority is… | Start by comparing… |
|---|---|
| General use, travel and a broad feature set | NordVPN |
| Lots of devices in one household | Surfshark |
| A no-data-cap free plan | Proton VPN Free |
| Privacy-first design and minimal account information | Mullvad |
| Privacy features plus a much larger paid network | Proton VPN Plus |
How to Choose Without Overthinking It
- Count your devices. A five-device limit may be plenty for one person but awkward for a family. Surfshark’s unlimited simultaneous connections are useful here.
- Decide whether you really need a paid plan. If your main aim is occasional privacy on a laptop or phone, Proton VPN Free may be enough.
- Check the renewal price, not just the headline deal. Long-term VPN offers can look cheap on the first term and cost more later.
- Look for independent evidence. Audits and published security assessments are more useful than a provider simply calling itself “no logs”.
- Choose for your real use case. Streaming, privacy, travel and covering a house full of devices are different jobs. The same VPN does not have to win every category.
Is using a VPN legal in the UK?
Yes. The UK Government has explicitly stated that VPNs are legal in the UK. That does not make illegal activity lawful, and using a VPN to access a service from another region may still breach that service’s terms. The Government has also said it will not ban or age-gate VPNs, while continuing to look at how they can be used to bypass child-safety controls.
Will a VPN slow my internet down?
Usually to some degree, because your traffic is encrypted and takes an extra route through the VPN server. The real impact depends on your connection, device, protocol, server load and distance. Using a nearby server is usually the sensible starting point; provider speed claims are not a substitute for testing the service on your own connection.
Do I need a VPN on my phone?
Not necessarily. Modern websites and apps already use HTTPS or other encryption for much of their traffic. A VPN can still add an encrypted tunnel across an untrusted network such as public Wi-Fi and can reduce what the local network or mobile provider can see about your destinations. It is an extra layer, not a reason to ignore normal security precautions.
Prices and features checked: 12 September 2026. VPN promotions, renewal prices, server counts and streaming access can change, so check the provider’s current terms before paying.
Sources
- NordVPN server list and no-logs information
- Surfshark server network and Trust Center
- Proton VPN plans and network and app information
- Mullvad pricing and no-logging policy
- UK Government guidance on VPN legality
- NCSC VPN guidance