British Ip Address Free
How to Get a UK IP Address (in 3 Easy Steps) With a VPN 2021
Table of ContentsStep by Step: How to Get a UK IP AddressWhat to Look for in the Best UK VPN? The Best VPNs to Get a British IP AddressHow to Safely Get a UK IP Address for FreeFinal Thoughts
A British IP address is the only thing separating us from watching top shows like The Great British Baking Show. There are other reasons why you might need a United Kingdom IP address, too, which we’ll get into in a minute. What you really want to know, though, is how to get a UK IP address, and we’ll show you how to do that in this article.
There are multiple streaming opportunities in the UK, including news channels, Netflix UK, BBC iPlayer and UK sports like Premier League football. You might also need a British IP address to access a UK bank account. Although there are a couple of ways you can change your IP address, the safest and most reliable way to do it is with a reliable virtual private network (VPN).
Key Takeaways:
With a UK IP address, you can watch British content like Netflix UK, as well as access UK services and websites, such as your bank most reliable and safest way of connecting with a British IP is through a VPN service — just make sure you use a reputable one, such as VPN needs to have UK servers; otherwise, you won’t be able to get an IP address in the United Kingdom.
It doesn’t matter what your physical location is, you just need to connect to a UK VPN server, and the VPN will assign you a UK IP address. In this article, we’ll show you the steps on how to get a British IP address and which VPN providers are up to the task. For a quick answer, though, ExpressVPN is the best VPN for all of your UK binge-watching desires.
When you connect to the internet, you’re assigned an IP address. That tells the websites and services that you connect to where you are, as well as some other information. A UK IP comes from a server based in the UK, so by connecting with one, you’ll appear to be in the UK when you access websites and subscribe to a VPN service, such as ExpressVPN, and connect to a UK server. Once connected, a United Kingdom IP address will mask your real IP address, allowing you to surf or watch content as if you’re physically in the you can get a free UK VPN, you should make sure that you only do so with a trusted VPN provider. Many free VPNs are not secure and don’t honor your privacy. Windscribe is a reputable VPN service that has a decent free plan with UK servers. Plus, plenty of other VPNs offer a free trial period and money-back guarantees, so you can make sure you like, it is not illegal to use a VPN to get a UK IP address. Keep in mind, though, that using a VPN with a streaming service to access another country’s content may be against the service’s terms. If you’re caught, your account could be terminated — though that’s unlikely.
Step by Step: How to Get a UK IP Address
Sign Up With a VPN Service ProviderFirst, sign up for a VPN service, such as ExpressVPN, and download the app for your the VPN App and Sign InOpen the VPN app and sign in. With ExpressVPN, you’ll need to enter the activation code you received. It’s a good idea to clear your cookies before you connect so that there’s no information stored regarding your true location — especially if you plan on accessing Netflix a UK Server and Connect to It Find a server based in the United Kingdom — there will generally be an in-app search function that will help you find one. Connect to the UK server and access British content.
What to Look for in the Best UK VPN?
The most important feature for a UK-compatible VPN is for it to have servers based in the UK. Without that, you can’t get UK IP addresses and won’t be able to access British content or websites. All of the services below have servers in the UK.
ExpressVPN — Fastest speeds, best for streaming, secure, four UK server locationsNordVPN — More than 400 UK servers, fast, secure, unlimited data, inexpensiveWindscribe — Best free VPN for the UK, limited plan with two UK server locations, good speedsSurfshark — Inexpensive, unlimited devices, three UK server locations, average speedsProtonVPN — Up to 36 UK servers with the paid plan, inexpensive, can be slow
There are a few features that can be important when choosing a VPN service, depending on your use case. For instance, if you plan on streaming, you should make sure the VPN can get into the desired streaming service, such as BBC iPlayer, and is capable of getting past the Netflix proxy error code. The VPN should also have fast speeds and unlimited bandwidth.
If you need to access your bank account or other sensitive information, you need a VPN that has strong security. We also recommend a no-logs policy so that your internet activities are kept private.
The Best VPNs to Get a British IP Address
In this section, we’ll recommend the top five VPNs for getting UK IP addresses, starting with our best VPN for the UK, ExpressVPN.
1. ExpressVPN
Pros:
Fastest speedsGets into all streaming services easilyServers in four UK locations
ExpressVPN is the top VPN in many of our articles, and for good reason. It provides a top-quality service that stands up to even the most demanding tasks. ExpressVPN has a huge server network, including servers in four UK locations. It’s also our best VPN for streaming because it can get into pretty much any streaming service, including Netflix, BBC iPlayer and Amazon Prime Video.
ExpressVPN has servers in four UK locations.
It comes with unlimited bandwidth and has the fastest VPN speeds around. Plus, ExpressVPN provides a reliable and strong connection and keeps your data safe behind a military-grade encryption protocol — AES 256-bit being the default standard. Our ExpressVPN review goes into more detail.
ExpressVPN’s pricing is expensive, though, which is a downside. However, if you skip the monthly plan and go straight for its 12-month plan, you can save some money. Plus, there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee in place in case you change your mind.
ExpressVPN Plans: Unlimited GB: 5:
2. NordVPN
More than 400 UK serversAccesses all streaming platformsMostly fast speeds
Cons:
Slow on some servers
Leading the way in online privacy and security, NordVPN lets you get UK IP addresses without fuss. In terms of the sheer number of servers offered, NordVPN surpasses ExpressVPN but doesn’t cover as many countries. That said, NordVPN has more than 400 UK servers available, giving you plenty of options.
NordVPN has more than 400 servers in the UK.
NordVPN is mostly fast, but as you can read in our NordVPN review, some of its servers are slow. So, if you connect to a slow server, just try another one. Plus, NordVPN can get into all streaming services easily and has no bandwidth limit. It’s also one of the safest VPNs to use, protecting you with AES 256-bit encryption and holding a strict no-logs policy.
Price-wise, NordVPN is inexpensive and gives you plenty for your money, especially if you choose a long-term subscription. It also comes with a reliable 30-day money-back guarantee.
NordVPN: Unlimited GB: 6:
3. Windscribe
Excellent free plan & cheap build-a-plan optionDedicated streaming serversUp to five UK server locations
Can be slowThree-day refund period
Windscribe is the best free VPN for getting a British IP address. It has a decent free plan that includes two UK servers in London — the paid plan includes an additional three UK locations. Plus, Windscribe’s paid plans include its “windflix” servers, which are built for streaming and include one dedicated to the UK.
Windscribe has five UK server locations, with two of those used on the free plan.
Still, it’s possible to use the free plan for streaming, though you’re limited to 10GB per month of bandwidth, whereas the paid plan comes with unlimited bandwidth. Windscribe’s speeds are decent, but it can be a little slow. It also has strong encryption and includes a decent privacy policy. For more details, read our full Windscribe review.
Windscribe comes in three flavors: the paid plan, free plan and build-a-plan. With the paid plan, you get access to all of Windscribe’s servers and features, whereas the free plan is limited. The build-a-plan option is inexpensive, with VPN servers costing $1 each per month, and you can add unlimited bandwidth for $1 per month, too. You can ask for a refund within three days if you don’t like it.
Build a Plan: Per “Pro” server location: 10 GB: Unlimited: Pro Plan: Unlimited GB: Unlimited:
4. Surfshark
Three UK server locationsUnlimited simultaneous connectionsEasy to use
Slower speedsMay need to try several servers to unblock streaming platforms
Surfshark is a decent VPN, though some of its features don’t match the quality of our top picks. It has servers in three UK locations and can access all major streaming platforms. That said, its speeds aren’t great, and you may have to switch servers a few times before you find one that works. It’s still a decent pick, though, and you can connect an unlimited number of devices at once.
Surfshark has UK servers in three locations, but its speeds can be slow.
Like ExpressVPN, Surfshark is based in the British Virgin Islands, meaning it enjoys the region’s lax data retention laws. It comes with great security and will protect your privacy. So, with apps offered for every platform, this is an affordable option for a casual user who values online security and privacy. You can read more in our Surfshark review.
Surfshark is a decent VPN that will easily get you a UK IP address, but it isn’t the best option for streaming. However, its two-year plan is super cheap and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
SurfShark Plans: Unlimited GB bandwidth,
Unlimited devices: Unlimited GB: Unlimited:
5. ProtonVPN
Unlimited bandwidth on all plansUp to 36 UK servers availableAccesses all major streaming platforms
Slow speedsNo UK servers included on the free planMoney-back guarantee may result in a partial refund
ProtonVPN has a great free plan, but it’s no good for obtaining a UK IP address. You can only access its 36 UK servers on the paid plans. Still, the features that come with a paid subscription make it worth the cost.
ProtonVPN has 36 UK servers that are only available on the paid plan.
Aside from its great security and privacy, in general, ProtonVPN comes with many security features. That includes its secure core servers, which provide a double-hop connection for twice the encryption. Plus, it can get into all streaming services, and all of its plans include unlimited bandwidth. However, a downside is that ProtonVPN’s speeds are pretty slow. You can read our ProtonVPN review for more details.
ProtonVPN is inexpensive, though its paid plans aren’t the cheapest on the market. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, but its terms are a little different from other providers: the remaining unused period of your chosen plan determines your refund amount.
Visionary: Unlimited GB: 10:
How to Safely Get a UK IP Address for Free
There are many free VPNs on the market, but you should avoid most of them — we’ll talk about the reasons for that in the next section. ProtonVPN and Windscribe are two of a few decent VPN services that offer a free plan. However, like many other free VPNs, ProtonVPN’s free plan doesn’t include servers in the UK.
Windscribe is an exception in the world of free VPNs, though. It’s a secure VPN, and its free plan includes UK-based servers. Yes, Windscribe has a bandwidth limit, but it’s your best chance at obtaining an IP for free in the United Kingdom and staying safe online, too.
Why You Should Avoid Most Free VPNs
Many free VPNs available can do more harm than good — check out our piece on the worst free VPN services out there. For example, the VPN provider might sell your data or could partake in other types of equally seedy behavior.
Some may invite malware or tracking software onto your computer, stealing resources and redirecting them to meet other ends. Your computer can be effectively taken over in a larger network of ne’er-do-wells, doing its evil bidding often without you even knowing it.
On top of that, some free VPNs are prone to leaks, meaning your true location and identity is available for anyone to see. Worse still, the VPN may make false claims about its security and not secure your connection at all. Then there’s the issue of logs: some VPNs do keep a log of your online activities.
If you’re totally strapped for cash and need a free VPN, make sure you use a reputable one like Windscribe.
Why You Should Avoid Most Proxies
While proxies can change your IP address and get around geoblocks, they do not anonymize your digital paper trail. Streaming services, as well as your internet service provider (ISP) and other potential eavesdroppers, will recognize your connection as being somewhere other than where you actually are, while your true location is traceable easily from the source.
We do not endorse lawbreaking, but if you’re in a high-risk country where using certain web services is a punishable offense, we don’t recommend using proxy servers. They aren’t totally secure, and you run the risk of getting caught. A virtual private network is the most secure way of getting a British IP address — read our VPN vs proxy vs Tor guide for more information.
Final Thoughts
Now you know how to get a British IP address and that using a VPN is by far the most reliable and secure way of getting one. Once you’re connected, you can access UK TV shows and movies as if you’re actually there. Plus, a VPN will keep you safe if you need to access a UK bank account.
ExpressVPN is the best contender here, and with good reason. It’s at the top of the heap for the quality service that it provides and offers a guaranteed net of safety that will allow you to browse and stream with confidence from anywhere in the world. You can also access Netflix, BBC iPlayer and other streaming platforms easily. Plus, there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee in case you change your mind.
Have you used a VPN to get a British IP address? If so, which VPN did you use? Did you have any issues with accessing UK streaming content and websites? Let us know in the comments section and, as always, thank you for reading.
![How to get a UK IP Address with a VPN for Free [Tested 2021]](https://proxyboys.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/1200px-IPv6_header_rv1.svg_.png "How to get a UK IP Address with a VPN for Free [Tested 2021]")
How to get a UK IP Address with a VPN for Free [Tested 2021]
The easiest way to get a UK IP address is with a VPN. We’ll show you the best VPNs for United Kingdom IP addresses which are suitable for streaming, offer great privacy and security features and perform well in our speed tests.
@osman_husain UPDATED: August 3, 2021
There are a variety of reasons why you might want a public IP address from the UK. British holidaymakers or expats living abroad might want to access news, TV shows, and movies on UK Netflix, ITV Hub, BBC iPlayer, and All 4. Or perhaps you may want to unblock British sporting coverage on Sky Sports or BT Sport. Those with UK bank accounts with Barclays, Natwest, Lloyds, and HSBC, might also need a British IP address to avoid being flagged by security regulators.
In this guide, we’ll teach you how to safely and securely acquire a real IP address from the UK. The easiest and quickest way to do that is by using a Virtual Private Network (VPN). A VPN is basically software that encrypts all the traffic flowing to and from your device and routes it via an intermediary server of your choice. By choosing a VPN service that offers servers in the UK, it’s possible to make it appear that you’re actually located in the country.
As we mentioned, the most efficient way to obtain a UK IP address is to sign up for a VPN. Paid VPN services offer a robust range of server locations. Selecting one that’s stationed in the UK will make it appear that you’re accessing the web from that region.
We’ll get into plenty of details about each provider further down, but if you only have time for a brief summary, here’s a list of the best VPNs for getting a UK IP address:
NordVPN Easily tops this list for getting a UK IP address. Plenty of British servers, best-in-class security features, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Surfshark An affordable service that punches well above its weight. Connect as many devices as you like. Great unblocking ability and a strong security offering.
ExpressVPN Lots of UK servers. Tuned for fast and secure performance. Top-notch privacy features and apps are easy to use.
CyberGhost Beginner friendly and offers solid security features and fast servers.
IPVanish Ideal for privacy and torrenting, but not the first choice for streaming. Allows any number of simultaneous connections.
PrivateVPN Small server count but achieved good connection speeds in our testing. Ample privacy and security.
WANT TO TRY THE TOP VPN RISK FREE? NordVPN is offering a fully-featured risk-free 30-day trial if you sign up at this page. You can use the VPN rated #1 for getting a UK IP address without any restrictions for a month. This makes it a great choice for anyone hoping to stream British TV while traveling abroad.
There are no strings attached—just contact support within 30 days if you decide NordVPN isn’t right for you and you’ll get a full refund. Start your NordVPN trial here.
How to get a UK IP address
It’s very simple to get a UK IP address and access all of your favorite British content from anywhere.
Here’s how to get a UK IP address:
Register for a VPN service and download the app relevant to your device. We recommend NordVPN.
Clear all cookies and restart your device.
Launch and log into the VPN mobile app or desktop client.
Connect to a UK server and wait for the connection to be made
Now you have a UK IP address and can browse the web at your leisure.
It doesn’t matter where you’re located in the world – it could be the US, France, Germany, Canada, Australia, India, Singapore, Thailand, or elsewhere – the process to obtain a UK IP address is the same.
Video: How to get a British IP address with a VPN
The best VPNs for getting a UK IP address
Our list of the most efficient services that provide UK IP addresses has been curated based on the following factors:
Maintains multiple VPN servers located in the UK
Unblocks geo-restricted streaming content with ease
Incorporates rigid encryption protocols so your data is protected
Provides apps for Android, iOS, Windows, and MacOS
Doesn’t store detailed internet traffic logs
Offers value for money
Below we go into more detail on each provider we recommend however if you would like to know more about the criteria we look for in VPNs then read through our full VPN testing methodology.
1. NordVPN
Oct 2021
Apps Available:
PC
Mac
IOS
Android
Linux
NordVPN operates 500+ servers in the UK, within a global network of more than 5, 000 across 59 countries. It’s highly secure service that’s been offering VPN solutions for over a decade. Best of all, it currently has the fastest servers of any major provider.
This provider should have no problems with unblocking geo-restricted content platforms. It’s also one of the rare services that allow internet users to select a server based on how they’d like to access the web; this includes streaming TV, ultra-secure privacy, anti-DDoS, and more.
Encryption standards are robust. The service uses the 256-bit AES protocol by default coupled with 2, 048-bit SSL keys. DNS leak protection is enabled. NordVPN doesn’t log user data or any form of personally identifiable information so your digital footprint will remain hidden.
Apps are available for Android, iOS, Linux, Windows, and MacOS.
NordVPN speed test data
NordVPNAverage Connection Speed – North America (USA)111. 7 MbpsAverage Connection Speed – Europe (UK)122. 3 MbpsAverage Connection Speed – Asia (Hong Kong)112. 0 Mbps
Pros:
Operates over 500 servers in the UK
Can unblock most popular UK streaming services
Fastest speeds we’ve seen
This provider doesn’t compromise on user security and privacy
Extensive support documentation and live chat option
Cons:
Desktop app can take some getting used to
BEST VPN FOR A UK IP ADDRESS:NordVPN is our first choice. A speedy, secure option that unblocks most UK sports and streaming services. Comes with a strict no-logging policy and a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
Here’s our full review of NordVPN.
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2. Surfshark
Surfshark currently has around 1700 servers spread across the UK and a further 60+ countries. This service’s download speeds are fast enough for streaming live HD video without any noticeable lag or buffering, and it can even unblock notoriously stubborn media streaming platforms like BBC iPlayer. Unlike most other VPNs, Surfshark has no connection limit, which means you can safely browse and stream on whichever devices you prefer.
This service uses effectively uncrackable 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and protection against WebRTC, IPv6, and DNS leaks to ensure your internet traffic cannot be read by snoopers. What’s more, it doesn’t log any personally identifiable information, and you can sign up anonymously by using cryptocurrency and a disposable email address.
Surfshark offers Android, iOS, Windows, MacOS, and Linux apps. It also works with supported internet routers although manual installation is required.
Surfshark speed test data
SurfsharkAverage Connection Speed – North America (USA)170 MbpsAverage Connection Speed – Europe (UK)230 MbpsAverage Connection Speed – Asia (Hong Kong)220 Mbps
Strong unblocking capabilities
Fast enough connection speeds for most purposes
No logs kept
Very low price
Allows you to protect all of your devices
Small (but growing) network
Some servers slower than others
Read our full review of Surfshark here
BEST BUDGET CHOICE:Surfshark is nice and affordable, but doesn’t skimp on security features or unblocking ability. What’s more, it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Surfshark CouponSAVE 81% on a 2-year planGet Deal >Discount applied automatically
3. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is a solid all-rounder. It offers reliable service and fast connection speeds, along with top-notch customer support. At the moment, the company offers more than 3, 000 high-speed servers spread across the globe. There’s a sizeable list of options in the UK and more in North America and parts of Europe.
One of the provider’s distinguishing features is its ability to unblock geo-restricted streaming content platforms including Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Sky, and more.
ExpressVPN makes use of military-grade encryption protocols which go a long way in firming up your internet connection and quelling any attempts to pilfer your data. It leverages 256-bit AES-CBC as the default encryption standard as well as HMAC authentication and perfect forward secrecy. An internet kill switch is included, which it refers to as a ‘network lock’. The best part is that these rugged protocols don’t deteriorate speed parameters at all.
The company doesn’t store any detailed internet traffic logs on its servers. It does retain a sliver of metadata, but that’s to improve the quality of the service, and real user IP addresses are never recorded. ExpressVPN is incorporated in the British Virgin Islands which means it’s out of the jurisdiction of government authorities in both the US and the UK.
ExpressVPN offers apps for Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.
ExpressVPN speed test data
ExpressVPNAverage Connection Speed – North America (USA)135. 7 MbpsAverage Connection Speed – Europe (UK)134 MbpsAverage Connection Speed – Asia (Hong Kong)136 Mbps
Fast and reliable servers in the UK are fit for most purposes
No issues unblocking UK streaming content while abroad like Netflix, Amazon Prime and more
High-end security features with good privacy protection
24-hour live chat support, 7 days a week
Limited advanced options for power-users
Not the cheapest
GREAT FOR STREAMING:ExpressVPN unblocks plenty of services both from the UK and elsewhere. It’s secure, too, with speedy connections, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our review of ExpressVPN.
ExpressVPN CouponSPECIAL OFFER: 49% off plus 3 months Free! Get Deal >Coupon applied automatically
4. CyberGhost
CyberGhost has firmed up its service in recent months, especially after its acquisition by Crossrider – an Israeli firm registered in the UK. At the moment it offers a choice of over 480 servers in the United Kingdom, part of a global network that numbers 5, 700+ servers sprinkled across 89 countries.
We recommend the VPN solution for its budget-friendly pricing, fast service, and impeccable encryption standards. Other nifty features which are available at no extra cost include an ad blocker, anti-malware defense, and anti-tracking.
CyberGhost is able to reliably unblock a bunch of geo-restricted content including Netflix. That puts it in an elite category of VPNs.
All internet traffic is secured by 256-bit AES encryption on the OpenVPN protocol by default along with perfect forward secrecy. An internet kill switch is included. The company is headquartered and registered in Romania. As such, it isn’t subjected to any mandatory data retention laws. It firms up the privacy angle with an internal policy of not storing any user data.
Apps are available for Android, iOS, Windows, Linux and MacOS.
CyberGhost speed test data
CyberGhostAverage Connection Speed – North America (USA)78. 7 MbpsAverage Connection Speed – Europe (UK)54. 7 MbpsAverage Connection Speed – Asia (Hong Kong)39. 3 Mbps
Large server presence in the UK
Good value provider with fast servers that are great for streaming and downloading
Apps are easy to use and great for new users
Privacy and online security are solid
Blocked in China and UAE
Lack of control over advanced features
Easy-to-use apps:CyberGhost is great for beginners. Hundreds of servers to choose from in the UK. Works well with most popular UK sports and streaming sites. Stores no logs and streams HD video reliably. 45-day money-back guarantee.
Here’s our in-depth CyberGhost review.
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5. IPVanish
IPVanish operates 80+ servers in the UK. Its total global server network comprises over 1, 300 spread across more than 75 worldwide locations. The service is fast, private, and has minimal downtime. IPVanish works seamlessly with BBC iPlayer, HBO Now, Amazon Prime Video, and Sling TV.
Encryption standards are in the top-tier. IPVanish uses 256-bit strong encryption on the OpenVPN protocol by default, SHA512 authentication, and a DHE-RSA 2, 048-bit key exchange with perfect forward secrecy. It stores no data other than when an account is registered for the first time, which puts it in a similar vein to NordVPN.
This service is popular with Kodi users because it enables them to download the Android APK directly to their device. The interface is also remote control-friendly for Kodi devices that lack a keyboard and mouse.
Apps are available for Android, iOS, Windows, and MacOS.
IPVanish speed test data
IPVanishAverage Connection Speed – North America (USA)72 MbpsAverage Connection Speed – Europe (UK)31. 3 MbpsAverage Connection Speed – Asia (Hong Kong)52. 3 Mbps
Over 80 servers in the UK
Unblocks a growing list of streaming services
Preferred by Kodi and users for remote-friendly apps
Doesn’t reliably unblock Netflix, Hulu
Doesn’t accept Bitcoin for payment
LARGE NETWORK:IPVanish works with any number of connected devices. Great for families and multiple internet connections. Can’t unblock as many streaming services as some of its rivals. 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full review of IPVanish.
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6. PrivateVPN
PrivateVPN has a relatively small choice of servers compared to the other recommended services on our list. But that doesn’t mean the service is sub-par. In fact, PrivateVPN is so confident about its product that it’s able to offer a 30-day money-back guarantee to all users.
The company offers a total of four servers in the UK. Globally there are just over 80 in 56 countries. PrivateVPN has an impressive ability to unblock popular streaming services including Netflix, BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, and lots more. An additional reason to opt for this provider is that its speed and privacy ranking, as judged by our extensive user review, was at par with the other providers mentioned in the article.
PrivateVPN uses the industry-leading 256-bit AES encryption along with perfect forward secrecy on the OpenVPN protocol. An internet kill switch is offered too. The service doesn’t store any user logs or engage in data mining of any nature.
PrivateVPN speed test data
PrivateVPNAverage Connection Speed – North America (USA)94 MbpsAverage Connection Speed – Europe (UK)56. 7 MbpsAverage Connection Speed – Asia (Hong Kong)61. 7 Mbps
Unblocks most popular UK streaming content from almost anywhere
Servers are fast and connections are reliable
Strong on privacy and security features
Fewer UK servers than others on this list
Doesn’t work in China
Kill switch option is only for the Windows app
GREAT SPEED:PrivateVPN is a good family choice. Unblocks many popular UK shows and allows up to 6 devices on the same account. Small network of servers but fast connections. 30-day money-back guarantee.
Here’s our full review of PrivateVPN.
PrivateVPN CouponSave 77% on the two year planGet Deal >Discount applied automatically
Can I use a free VPN for a UK IP address?
One of the basic reasons for opting to use a VPN is the reassurance that your digital footprint will remain secure as long as you stay connected to a VPN server. After all, that’s why the software was developed in the first place: to keep yourself hidden on the internet. We’re aware that free VPN services are heavily advertised on app stores and elsewhere across the internet, but the experience they offer is shoddy, unreliable, and not worth your time.
Free VPN services ship with a ridiculously small choice of servers, deploy feeble encryption standards, regularly indulge in bandwidth throttling, and, in some cases, mine your data to sell for a profit. We’re not saying it’s impossible to get a UK IP address with a free VPN but it’ll be very cumbersome and may require a fair bit of trial and error. Plus it’s unlikely you’ll be able to get an IP address for a specific city like London.
Having said that, you should know such services are registered businesses. They need to make money to pay for staff salaries, the cost of maintaining servers, and other business overheads. A free product should raise eyebrows because there’s definitely a catch involved. Some will bombard you with migraine-inducing popup advertisements or insert tracking cookies and sell your personal data to advertisers. Others might interrupt the service frequently to pester you to upgrade to a premium plan.
Overall, we recommend investing a few dollars and obtaining a paid VPN service. Free ones don’t cut it.
I’ve decided on a VPN. What do I do next?
After you’ve settled on a VPN service that works for you (an easy way is to click on the links beneath each mini-review) and signed up with your credit card information, then all you need to do is proceed to download the client software for your device.
Log into your account after the installation is complete. Browse through the list of available server locations until you find those that are located in the UK. Some providers let you select a server based on country alone, while others let you select by city.
A successful connection will normally be indicated by a green icon on your taskbar or a VPN symbol at the top of your smartphone screen. Now your connection will be anonymous and secure, and you’ll have a UK IP address that will give you access to all the British content you want.
Why do I need an IP address from the UK?
Advocacy body Freedom House says the internet landscape in the United Kingdom is “free”, noting that it “is considered to be a key element determining societal and democratic participation”.
Access to broadband internet is a fundamental human right in the UK. This is backed by a commitment to allow access to the free and unfettered internet, bereft of content censoring or other abhorrent practices.
However, torrenting copyrighted material is considered illegal in the country. There have been instances of copyright trolls flexing the law to gain settlements. Try to stay out of harm’s way.
An IP address from the UK can help if you’d like to access the free and open web. Normally that’s not available to citizens of countries like Iran, China, Russia, and the UAE where state-appointed engineers impose all sorts of blockades to throttle access to sites.
UK residents who are traveling abroad will find it useful to obtain an IP address from back home. This helps to access content like BBC iPlayer, Sky Go, UK Netflix, and ITV Hub. If you’re looking for a more detailed guide on how to stream UK shows while abroad, then our primer on the topic should help.
Other use cases for a UK IP address are accessing online banking services and watching premier league football.
DISCLAIMER: Comparitech does not encourage using a VPN to stream content illegally. Please consult local laws thoroughly before deciding to embark on this route. If you have any questions then it’s best to talk to a lawyer in your country of residence.
Using a DNS server in the UK
Your IP address operates as a physical identifier of sorts, helping websites determine where you’re accessing the web from. But that’s just one (albeit popular) method. Another common mechanism is via Domain Name Systems (DNS) which act as a hybrid registry of sorts. DNS addresses are used to verify domain names using their IP address. When trying to access geo-restricted content, most websites will check where the DNS request is originating from. If both your IP address and DNS server don’t originate from a country that allows access (such as the UK for BBC iPlayer), the host website or app will block you.
All the recommended VPNs in this list make sure that DNS requests are handled accordingly. After a successful connection to a VPN server, your DNS requests will also be routed through the same encrypted tunnel. Many of them offer DNS leak protection to boot. Therefore, it’s not possible for snoopers to monitor your web activity simply by examining DNS requests.
Free VPN services ordinarily route your DNS requests through the encrypted tunnel but then use a public DNS service on the other side. This means search engines can track which websites you visit, thereby compromising privacy.
It’s possible to manually configure DNS servers on most device platforms. OpenNIC can do the trick for you; it offers free DNS servers in specific countries.
Can I obtain a UK IP address without signing up for a VPN?
There is an alternative option for getting an IP address from the UK. This is obtained via the Tor browser; a product conceptualized by the Tor project which aims to help people escape network surveillance and violation of confidential business relationships and privacy.
The Tor browser is free and incorporates sophisticated encryption and anonymity standards. It’s popular with journalists, human rights activists, and whistleblowers as it allows them to hide their identity without a monthly charge.
But the Tor browser is only viable for limited use. If you’re a blogger or whistleblower, then Tor can help. It’s a terrible option if you want to engage in online banking services or stream British content. That’s because all the sophisticated encryption makes it insufferably slow. However, if you’d still like to get a UK IP address with Tor, then this guide will break it down in more detail.
Another option is to deploy a free proxy server. However, this is similar to the free VPN services we warned you about earlier in the article). Proxy servers also operate with download caps and shady privacy policies. Most streaming providers like Netflix have started to block proxies as well and others are quickly catching on.
An additional problem is those proxy servers won’t encrypt your traffic the way a VPN does, so you’re leaving yourself susceptible to online monitoring by an ISP or other intrusive entities. The proxy provider itself could also monitor your online behavior.
UK IP Address FAQ
How can I select an IP address from London via a VPN? Some VPN providers actually let you choose the city your server is in, as well as the country. They might, for instance, let you choose between servers in London, Manchester, or Glasgow. Generally, though, even if you’re not given the option to select a city, servers are usually in the capital or another nearby location. This means that servers simply labeled “United Kingdom” will most likely be in London and will, as such, give you an IP address from London. Is it legal to use a UK IP address while abroad? There’s no law that says you can’t change your IP address. In fact, if there were, many prominent businesses would be in trouble since remote workers frequently use VPNs to access company networks safely. Unless you’re planning on committing crimes while connected to a VPN, there’s no reason you should encounter any problems. After all, it’s not a crime to be privacy-conscious. How can I hide my IP address while in the UK? Generally, there are two ways to hide your IP address: proxy servers and VPNs. Proxies work by routing your traffic through servers elsewhere in the world but these usually only protect your browser traffic. It can also be difficult to find out who operates publicly-available proxy servers and what they do with your information.
Ultimately, VPNs are the better choice. They do everything a proxy does but encrypt your traffic as well. This means that even if someone is monitoring the network, they won’t be able to see which sites you visit or what you do on them. Do any VPN providers offer a dedicated IP address from the UK? Yes, some VPNs provide dedicated IP addresses from the UK. This includes NordVPN and CyberGhost. Note that in order to get a dedicated IP address from these VPNs, you’ll need to pay an additional fee on top of your regular VPN subscription. Dedicated IP addresses offer a number of benefits such as being able to skip blacklists and avoid repetitive identity can I find the NordVPN server list for the UK? It’s easy enough to find the NordVPN server list for the UK. You can choose to look at it on NordVPN’s website or, if you’re already a subscriber, via the NordVPN apps. With the apps, simply scroll down to the United Kingdom and click on the three dots. You’ll see the full list of servers sorted by server number. It’s also possible to see the server load while you can even favorite specific servers for faster future a UK IP address from a VPN provider stop my ISP throttling BBC iPlayer? It depends on the VPN provider! Like some ISPs, some VPNs throttle your bandwidth, resulting in lag and buffering while streaming BBC iPlayer. The good news is that there are a number of high-quality, reputable VPN providers that offer unlimited bandwidth. This includes NordVPN. By using these VPNs to connect to a server in the UK for a UK IP address, you can bypass ISP throttling and watch BBC iPlayer without is the fastest VPN for the UK? All of the VPNs listed in this post offer fast UK servers as well as unlimited bandwidth. This makes them ideal not only for browsing but for streaming and torrenting. The fastest VPNs we’ve tested are generally NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN. However, there are various factors that influence speed, meaning that a particular server may be very fast one day and slower the next. Regardless, you shouldn’t have any issues with any of the above VPNs when it comes to speed.
Best Free VPN UK: Top 10 Free-of-Charge VPNs – Hosting Data
How VPNs Protect You (Twice-Over)
Virtual Private Networks or VPNs use virtual connections, routed through the Internet, while encrypting your data as it moves to and fro between your device and the network you’re connecting to (for example, web servers).
Many of the networks / transfer protocols you use to surf already have encryption protocols in place, eg. SSH (Secure Shell), HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure), and NTPS (Network News Transfer Protocol), and LDAPS (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol).
In other words, using a VPN to further secure these ports, means you’re – in many cases – encrypting your data twice over at least.
What Are VPN Endpoints?
‘Endpoints’ are simply where your VPN terminates. Rather than your VPN client running data from a router and then terminating on a specific device, such as your laptop or mobile phone, the connection terminates at another VPN endpoint (which your endpoint device can access by logging into the VPN itself).
Think of this as like a tunnel, where the only access point is through the VPN… Not even the network it’s routed through, such as your internet service provider, can see details about this data transfer taking place.
Endpoint security is a new security space that has developed over the last few years as a way of setting defined compliance standards for devices which are connected remotely to corporate networks in particular.
A VPN is a type of endpoint security protocol for your device, which could otherwise be an attack path for cybercriminals. It doesn’t necessarily protect the network, however.
Datacentres run antivirus and malware detection software on their servers, aimed at identifying and handling next-generation security threats. This includes data leak protection (DLP).
Related Read: Best Free Antivirus Software
IoT (Internet of Things) and Personal Endpoint Security
IoT (the Internet of Things) is a term describing devices that expand our internet connections beyond the usual range of devices (such as laptops, computers, smartphones, and so on).
IoT devices integrate purely with high-definition technology, and this lets them access the internet seamlessly, even letting you control them remotely if needed.
This graph shows you how iot products are becoming increasingly important, with more available then the number of humans on the planet.
Examples of IoT devices: wireless headphones that connect to your phone network, Google’s Home Voice Controller, Amazon Echo, smart cams, smart locks – and a whole range of smart ‘remote device’ technologies: from doorbells that you can used to answer your door, even when away, to devices that let you turn appliances on/off – wherever you are.
With the growing number of endpoints, this also increases the number of security threat paths for cyber opportunists to exploit. Having a VPN that you can connect all of your many devices to is becoming an essential bit of personal endpoint security.
In the burning era of IoT device expansion, where the average person is expected to own 10 IoT devices in the not-too-distant future, an ambitious thief will no longer target your wallet in the street, but your personal internet connection at home. A VPN is the first step to robust security.
Frequently Asked Questions about british ip address free
How can I get a free UK IP address?
Here’s how to get a UK IP address:Register for a VPN service and download the app relevant to your device. … Clear all cookies and restart your device.Launch and log into the VPN mobile app or desktop client.Connect to a UK server and wait for the connection to be made.More items…•Aug 3, 2021
How can I get a free UK VPN?
10 Top Free VPNs in 2021 (UK )NordVPN: Heavyweight with Great Customer Support & Firewalls. The People’s Champion … Surfshark: Top Cheap VPN UK. … ExpressVPN: Speed & Stealth. … VyprVPN – Specialist Security Tools. … Windscribe – Great Ad-Blocker & Actually-Free Trial Period. … TunnelBear – Great for Streaming Netflix.5 days ago
How do I get a UK VPN?
The Best VPNs to Get a UK IP AddressExpressVPN — Lightning-Fast Servers in the UK. … IPVanish — Intuitive Apps to Find the Best UK IP Address. … CyberGhost — Optimized Servers to Enjoy UK Content With Zero Lag. … Private Internet Access — Ultra-Secure to Keep Your Data Safe.More items…•Sep 17, 2021
