All you need is a VPN to visit UK sites from anywhere. It masks your actual IP address and gives you one from the UK. At the same time, a VPN will encrypt your traffic to keep you anonymous online and boost your speeds if your ISP throttles them. That way, you can safely access all the best UK content without annoying lag. My top recommendation for speed, security, and reliability is ExpressVPN. It has 4 servers in the UK, world-class security features, and superfast speeds even when connecting to faraway locations. You can try ExpressVPN’s UK servers out risk-free since it’s backed by a money-back guarantee for up to 30 days. This way, if you aren’t happy with it, it’s easy to claim a refund. Get a UK IP Address Now!
Why You Need a VPN to Get a UK IP Address
Due to licensing regulations, some UK content and sites are geo-blocked and inaccessible from abroad. You’ll have even more trouble using the free and open web from suppressive locations, like China or the UAE. Even managing your UK banking accounts from outside the country can get flagged as suspicious activity. However, if you take holiday or move abroad, a VPN can help you access these sites. When you use a VPN, it sends your traffic through an encrypted tunnel while providing you with an IP address in another location, such as the UK. Your real IP address is masked during this time, so no one can see your actual location. To the sites you visit, it looks like you’re browsing from the UK. So you’ll have access to BBC iPlayer, ITV, All4, and more. On top of this, a VPN protects your personal data with features such as military-grade encryption, a kill switch, and a no-logs policy. This means you can safely access your favorite UK sites without the risk of being exposed to hackers, trackers, or prying eyes. Try ExpressVPN Risk-Free Today!
The Best VPNs to Get a UK IP Address
To stay up to date on UK news and shows wherever you go, you’ll need a VPN with servers in the UK. Even if you’re located inside the UK, your data can still be shared with third parties since this country is a part of the 5, 9, and 14 Eyes Agreement. However, using a VPN can help protect you from prying eyes and other cyberthreats online. Each VPN in my list has UK IP servers available, as well as strong security features to keep you safe and anonymous. They also include multiple simultaneous connections, so you can protect all of your devices. You can try them out risk-free since they’re backed by a trustworthy money-back guarantee.
1. ExpressVPN — Lightning-Fast Servers in the UK
ExpressVPN gives you consistently fast speeds. I tested all 4 of its UK servers from my location in Central America, which gave me an average download speed of 45 Mbps. You only need 5 Mbps to watch shows in HD, so this was 8 times faster than what I needed to watch BBC iPlayer without any buffering. These fast speeds ensure you can enjoy uninterrupted streaming, browsing, and gaming. It’s also a great option for accessing UK shows and sports games. I tested it by connecting to its East London server. This allowed me to access every platform I tested it with, including BBC iPlayer, Netflix UK, Sky TV, Eurosport, and ITV. I watched 2 episodes of Blue Planet and didn’t encounter any lag. You can watch all of your favorite UK shows and movies, even if you move or take holiday. With a combination of security features, ExpressVPN keeps your data secure. It uses 256-bit encryption which is the strongest available. None of your personal data gets stored since it adheres to a strict no-logs policy. DNS/IP leak protection disguises your real location, making it easier to visit UK sites anonymously. To be sure you can rely on this, I tested it with a leak detecting tool — it didn’t find any leaks whatsoever. You can access your UK banking and personal accounts safely. One minor downfall is that ExpressVPN subscriptions are a bit higher than some. However, you can get it for much cheaper if you sign up using its 49% discount. The best way to see if it’s for you is to test ExpressVPN out risk-free. It’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, so if you’re not happy with it, you can easily claim a refund. I tested this policy after 24 days via the live chat feature. The agent only asked a couple of quick questions regarding my experience; our chat took less than 2 minutes. Right after, they issued the refund, and I received the money back in my account in just 3 days. Try ExpressVPN Today!
2. IPVanish — Intuitive Apps to Find the Best UK IP Address
IPVanish’s user-friendly apps help you find the best UK server with ease. While testing, I just selected the United Kingdom, and the app chose the best server for me. It only took 6 seconds before I was connected to its fastest server in this location. If you’d rather manually check for yourself, it displays each server in terms of load percentage (crowding) and ping. You’ll never waste time testing different server speeds. Its servers are superfast and reliable. I tested 3 UK locations — the fastest server I recorded (Glasgow) gave me 34 Mbps. When I tested London and Birmingham, they were still really fast, with an average of 31 Mbps. Since you only need 5 Mbps to stream in HD, you won’t have to deal with long loading times or buffering during your online activities. It uses top-notch security features and a no-logs policy to protect your traffic. This includes 256-bit encryption, DNS/IP leak protection, and a kill switch. I put this to the test by changing server locations from Manchester to London. During this time, I attempted to load YouTube. However, the app notified me that the kill switch was blocking my traffic until I established a secure connection. Your location, banking, and personal information will be kept safe. Unfortunately, IPVanish doesn’t work reliably with BBC iPlayer. However, it worked great with all of the other streaming sites I tested. You’ll still get access to a ton of content, but this is worth considering if BBC iPlayer is a must for you. While signing up, I found an easy way to save money on your subscription. All you have to do is sign up with IPVanish’s latest discount of 77% off. You can even try IPVanish risk-free since it’s backed with a 30-day money-back guarantee. To see if this policy is trustworthy, I tested it after 3 weeks. All I had to do was log into my customer account on the IPVanish website and submit a request for a refund. I didn’t even have to speak with an agent or provide a reason. Within 30 minutes, I received an email that my money was on the way; it was back in my account after 4 days. Try IPVanish Today!
3. CyberGhost — Optimized Servers to Enjoy UK Content With Zero Lag
Your privacy is protected with NoSpy servers and a strict no-logs policy. NoSpy servers are located in Romania, where CyberGhost is based — they’re only accessible by CyberGhost employees. Romania is outside of the 14 Eyes jurisdiction, so your traffic is safe from third-party interference and surveillance. You won’t be exposed to prying eyes or cybercriminals. It also offers the option to get a dedicated IP address, which helps if you’ll be using a UK IP address often. Dedicated IP addresses maximize speeds since you’ll be the only one using the server instead of sharing it with several others. You can easily get this from within the CyberGhost app. This way, you won’t ever have to worry about overcrowded servers. A con I noted is that CyberGhost doesn’t work consistently in some countries with strict censorship. This includes the UAE, China, North Korea, and Middle Eastern countries. However, this may or may not affect you, depending on your travel plans or country of residence. That being said, subscriptions are budget-friendly. With its latest discount, you can even get Cyberghost with 84% off when you sign up. CyberGhost offers a 45-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to try it out risk-free. I tested it for 13 days before asking for my refund. To make my request, I used the live chat option — the agent asked me a few questions then approved the return. After 4 days, I saw the money back in my account. Try Cyberghost Today!
4. Private Internet Access — Ultra-Secure to Keep Your Data Safe
Private Internet Access (PIA) keeps your personal data safe. It uses 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, DNS/IP leak protection, and Mace. Mace is a feature that blocks ads, trackers, and malware. It worked great for me as I didn’t encounter any ads during my time testing PIA. Plus, it follows a strict no-logs policy that was proven reliable in 2 court cases. No one will be able to intercept your traffic. It has multiple UK servers, including one that’s optimized for streaming. While testing, I initially connected to its London server. This allowed me to visit Netflix UK; however, it took a minute to load an episode of The Crown. When I switched to its London-Streaming server, there was no loading time at all. It worked just as fast with BBC iPlayer and SkyTV. You’ll always have fast and reliable access to UK content. You can easily customize your VPN with its choose-your-own encryption and privacy features. There are 2 options: 128-bit (more speed, less safety) or 256-bit AES (more safety, less speed). I found this option in PIA’s settings under “Connection Preferences”. To select the level, you just choose from the dropdown menu. You’ll have no problem using its user-friendly apps. PIA is based in the US, which is a minor negative since this is part of the 14 Eyes Alliance. However, its strict no-logs policy means it won’t have anything to share even if an agency requests your data. I also found out you can get PIA for much cheaper with its 82% discount. You can try it out risk-free with its 30-day money-back guarantee to see if it’s right for you. I tested this after 23 days by contacting a live customer service representative. We had a 4-minute chat before he issued my return. I saw the money in my account again within 5 days. Try Private Internet Access Today!
5. PrivateVPN — User-Friendly Apps to Easily Access UK Sites
PrivateVPN’s apps are easy to use. Simple Mode gives you quick, hassle-free protection. While testing this, I found out you can enable Stealth VPN (obfuscation) with just one click. Stealth VPN can be helpful for work or study purposes. It lets you access content that might be blocked on restrictive networks, like your public library or workplace. It also makes accessing UK sites that have strong VPN-blocking technology (like Netflix) easy. It’s a great option for streaming with 2 UK servers to choose from. Plus, it allows you to save and label your favorites according to the sites they work best with. While testing, I found that its Manchester server was the fastest with the sites I tested (BBC iPlayer, Netflix UK, All4). It didn’t give me any buffering while I watched 3 episodes of EastEnders. So I saved this as my go-to server for streaming. You can enjoy your favorite UK content with ease. There are several security protocols offered by PrivateVPN, including OpenVPN, L2TP/IPsec, PPTP, and IKEv2. By default, it uses OpenVPN — the most secure protocol since it’s open-source. This means that it’s continuously being scrutinized and audited by security experts. If a vulnerability is discovered, OpenVPN inc. works swiftly to resolve it. Your data will be kept completely secure. Unfortunately, live chat isn’t available 24/7. However, during the hours of operation, the agents are quick to respond with helpful support. I found this out when I had a question about Stealth VPN. Plus, I learned you can save 85% when you sign up with PrivateVPN’s latest discount. You can even test out PrivateVPN risk-free. It offers a 7-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee. When I finished testing (after 24 days), I submitted a contact form to request my refund. Within 3 hours, they notified me via email that my return was issued. The money was in my account by the end of that week. Try PrivateVPN Today!
Tips on Choosing the Best VPN for a UK IP Address
A quality VPN should provide you with strong security, fast speeds, and reliability. I chose these VPNs based on these criteria. In any case, here is a breakdown of what to look for, so you can make your own informed decision when shopping for the right VPN for you:
Several servers in the UK — to access your streaming services, bank accounts, and other local content. Choosing a VPN with multiple servers in the UK gives you alternative options in case of overcrowding or a poor connection. Strong security and privacy features — the very least that a VPN should offer is 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, DNS/IP leak protection, and a no-logs policy. These features are necessary to keep your data safe while it travels from your device > server > final destination. Works on all major operating systems — it should be compatible with multiple devices and operating systems, offering apps for easy download and use. Reliably unblocks tons of UK content — it works consistently with your favorite streaming platforms, banking, and other websites you need to access from outside of the UK. Fast speeds — fast servers and unlimited bandwidth help you avoid long loading times and throttling while you stream, game, browse, and torrent. Excellent customer support — whether it’s by email, live chat, or phone, there should be dependable support to handle your questions and concerns. As a bonus, most of the VPNs on this list even offer 24/7 live support. Trustworthy money-back guarantee — for sufficient time to test a VPN’s features, it should offer a money-back guarantee period.
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Is it illegal to use a VPN to get a UK IP address?
VPNs are perfectly legal in most countries. However, in strictly censored countries (i.e., China, North Korea, Turkey), they are completely banned or heavily restricted. I recommend reading up on your local law to avoid getting penalized. That being said — if you’re in a location where VPNs are legal, it’s not difficult to get a UK IP address. My advice is to download a premium VPN with multiple servers in the UK and strong security features. All of the VPNs in this list offer military-grade encryption, DNS/IP leak protection, and a kill switch. With this, you can access UK sites from anywhere.
Can a free VPN give me a UK IP address?
Some can, but they don’t offer much security or privacy; they also limit your speeds and data. Free VPNs are known to collect user information to target you with annoying ads. Plus, they typically don’t use strong enough security features to mask your location — making it difficult to access blocked content. It’s not worth the risk — you can get all of the VPNs on this list with a risk-free money-back guarantee. Each one offers uncapped data, is highly secure, and can successfully mask your location. This way, you’ll have consistent access to UK sites and protection from cyber threats.
Are there other ways to get a UK IP Address?
Yes, a few, but I don’t recommend them. The other options include using the Tor browser or a proxy server. However, they don’t offer the same level of security as the VPNs in this list. Tor is a dark web browser that offers you anonymity and the ability to access restricted content. However, with this comes the danger of various cyber threats. I don’t recommend using it to access banking sites or anywhere you would log in using personal credentials. Tor presents risk; it’s a place where hackers and malware could infect your device or collect personal data. It assigns you random IP addresses from multiple countries to mask your real location. However, you can configure Tor to connect you with only UK IP addresses. Proxies are another option. Some VPNs even offer proxy features (like IPVanish), but proxies alone are not enough to protect your personal information. It’s similar to a less secure VPN — it provides you with a new IP address but does not offer encryption or DNS/IP leak protection. Without leak protection, sites can pick up on the signal your device sends out and find out your location. This means that you’ll have a harder time accessing UK sites using a proxy. In addition, your personal data is at risk of exposure without encryption.
How can I check if my IP address is in the UK?
It’s quick and easy — there are online tools that check your IP address. First, connect a VPN to the UK. Then, visit a site offering a free IP address reading tool, like ipleak.net, and allow it to scan your location. If it shows an IP address in the UK, you’ve connected successfully. Afterwards, you can safely access UK sites and streaming platforms.
Can I get a dedicated UK IP address?
Yes! You can get a dedicated UK IP address with some VPN services, including Cyberghost. This usually comes at an additional cost per month but ensures top speeds. Since you’ll be the only one using it, you won’t encounter overcrowding. However, this may not be necessary if you get a VPN with an extensive server network (like ExpressVPN) and multiple UK locations to choose from.
What can I do with a UK IP address?
A UK IP address gives you access to geoblocked websites, streaming platforms, and TV stations in that country. This includes communication, entertainment, and account management. The safest, most effective way to acquire a UK IP address is with a highly secure VPN. Here are a few benefits of having a UK IP address:
UK streaming — even while you’re abroad, you can continue enjoying your favorite content. BBC iPlayer, Netflix UK, Eurosport, ITV Hub, Sky Go, Eleven Sports, BT Sports, All4, Now TV, and more. Banking — you won’t get flagged when you manage your bank accounts from abroad. You’ll have no problem accessing HSBC Holdings, Lloyds Banking Group, Royal Bank of Scotland Group, Barclays, Standard Chartered, and more. Torrenting — torrenting is legal in the UK; however, you must abide by copyright law. Communication — while some countries are highly suppressive and restrict the use of social sites, the UK is a place of free speech.
Get a UK IP With ExpressVPN
Get a UK (British) IP Address Today!
To stay up-to-date on everything happening in the UK, I recommend downloading a VPN. By encrypting your traffic, you’ll be able to visit UK sites for news, banking, streaming, and more. Plus, it keeps your personal data protected. This is especially important while you use public WiFi or access personal accounts. For lightning-fast speeds, strong security, and a large selection of UK servers, ExpressVPN is my top choice. You can even test all of ExpressVPN’s features out risk-free. It offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so if you aren’t happy with the service it’s easy to claim a refund.
To summarize, the best VPNs for getting a UK IP address in 2021 are…
The information above can be used to track you, target you for ads, and monitor what you do online.
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