The Best Free VPNs for the UK

The 3 Best Free VPNs for the UK in 2021

1. 1. Windscribe: The Best Free VPN for UK

   Two UK servers, 10GB data allowance, and works well with British streaming services.

   Ranked #1 for Free VPN for UK

    100% 

   (2 user reviews)

   Visit Windscribe

   Pros

   1. Unblocks BBC iPlayer, All 4, ITV Hub, BritBox & UK/US Netflix
   2. Torrenting support on UK servers
   3. Generous 10GB data allowance & 10 global servers
   4. Safe logging policy
   5. AES-256 encryption & OpenVPN protocol
   6. Advanced settings & customization available

   Cons

   1. London speeds are half as slow as paid version
   2. Restrictions to R.O.B.E.R.T feature
   3. No access to WindFlix servers
   4. Based in Canada

   Overall Free UK VPN Rating: 9.1/10

   We calculate this rating based on the following five subcategories. To learn more, read our free UK VPNs testing process.

   • Data Cap: 9.5/109.5
   • UK Speeds: 9.4/109.4
   • UK Servers: 7.5/107.5
   • Logging Policy: 9.5/109.5
   • UK Streaming & P2P: 9.9/109.9

   Windscribe is the best free VPN for UK users, by far. It’s the only safe option that unblocks both Netflix UK and Netflix US. It also works with British streaming services BBC iPlayer, All 4, and ITV Hub.

   A 10GB monthly data cap is limiting but still generous, and the VPN app is ad-free.

   Data Cap	10GB Per Month
   Top Download Speedi Based on a 100Mbps test connection	54Mbps
   Logging Policy	Anonymous Server Usage Data
   Jurisdiction	Canada (Five-Eyes Member)
   See all features
   Torrenting	Permitted

   Very good for streaming UK TV & movies

   Windscribe’s free version unblocks BBC iPlayer through its UK server. It works despite the British broadcaster cracking down on VPNs. The VPN also works with on-demand apps like All 4, ITV Hub, and BritBox.

   In our streaming tests, we successfully used Windscribe to watch a host of British TV from outside of the UK – shows like The Great British Bake Off, Peaky Blinders, and Strictly Come Dancing.

   Windscribe Free unblocks All 4 and other British streaming channels

   Windscribe is easily the best free VPN for Netflix, too. It unblocks US Netflix, UK Netflix, and eight other libraries. On top of that, Windscribe Free works with Amazon Prime Video and US-exclusive Hulu.

   Windscribe’s free VPN is about 50% slower than its premium version. So there may be some buffering required. On local London connections, we recorded download speeds of 54Mbps on our 100Mbps line.

   By contrast, the paid version reaches 95Mbps. That said, Windscribe Free’s speeds are more than enough for HD streaming.

   Strong security features for safe torrenting

   Windscribe Free is a safe choice for UK torrenters. It supports P2P activity on most of its servers, including its UK ones. Servers that aren’t P2P-optimized are marked with an icon.

   Windscribe uses very secure encryption that protects your data when torrenting and keeps you activity hidden from UK government snooping.

   There’s a kill switch that stops your identity being leaked if the VPN tunnel ever drops. It also uses the best AES-256 cipher and comes with a selection of top security protocols, including OpenVPN. This protocol balances security and performance very well.

   Windscribe Free has additional security preferences

   Even on its free version, Windscribe has plenty of security settings. You can take control of your online privacy through custom DNS, automatic or manual IP selection, firewall modes, and SOCKS5 Proxy options.

   You also get access to Windscribe’s bespoke malware blocker, R.O.B.E.R.T. Overall, it’s an impressive package for a service that doesn’t cost a thing.

   Windscribe has a minimal logging policy, too. It only records the total amount of bytes transferred in a 30-day period and timestamps of your last activity. This privacy policy will shield you from intrusive UK ISPs like Virgin, BT, Sky, and TalkTalk.

   On top of that, there’s DNS and IP leak protection, and fast-enough speeds for quick downloads. This makes Windscribe safe and the best free VPN for UK torrenting.

   A 10GB monthly data allowance

   Windscribe Free’s main downside is that it limits your data usage to 10GB of data a month. That means that you’ll have to ration your streaming and downloading.

   This is actually one of the more generous data allowances from a free service. Other popular free VPNs like Tunnelbear have a data cap of only 500MB a month, so you’re protected for longer with Windscribe Free.

   We’re glad to see there are no intrusive pop-up ads on the app, too.

   10 global server locations

   Windscribe lets you connect to VPN servers in ten different locations. These are:

   • Canada
   • France
   • Germany
   • Hong Kong
   • Netherlands
   • Norway
   • Romania
   • Switzerland
   • UK
   • USA

   Windscribe has two free UK servers. Both are in London, listed as ‘Crumpets’ and ‘Custard’. This is twice as many free UK servers as any other VPN on this list.

   As the leader in UK servers, Windscribe spreads user load to avoid congestion. You can also select ‘Best Location’ to connect to the most optimal server.

   Windscribe Free has two UK servers and a ‘best location’ option

   Windscribe also has a free browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, Opera, and Microsoft Edge. This is useful for light browsing of the web. There’s no sign-up necessary. You can install it without an account, it has one free UK server, and it’s limited to 2GB per month.

   Windscribe is by far the best free VPN for the UK. It’s safe to use and lets you stream British TV. Torrenting is allowed and there are no pop-up ads. Sign up is simple enough too — you just have to head to the website and create an account. No payment details are required.

   Visit Windscribe

   or read our full Windscribe VPN Review.

2. 2. ProtonVPN: Safest Free VPN for UK

   The safest free VPN for the UK, unlimited data allowance, but bad for streaming & torrenting.

    100% 

   (2 user reviews)

   Visit ProtonVPN

   Pros

   1. Zero data restrictions
   2. The safest and most private free VPN
   3. No payment info required
   4. Transparent service and company
   5. Eight servers in nearby Netherlands
   6. Good local speeds

   Cons

   1. No access to Netflix, BBC iPlayer, or other streaming services
   2. Torrenting blocked
   3. No UK servers (only three locations overall)
   4. Long-distance speeds are slow
   5. Only one connection allowed
   6. Support only available through email

   Overall Free UK VPN Rating: 8.0/10

   We calculate this rating based on the following five subcategories. To learn more, read our free UK VPNs testing process.

   • Data Cap: 9.9/109.9
   • UK Speeds: 9.3/109.3
   • UK Servers: 4.0/104
   • Logging Policy: 9.8/109.8
   • UK Streaming & P2P: 4.0/104

   ProtonVPN’s free service is the safest and most private free VPN for the UK. It’s a zero logs service and the company has an excellent reputation. It’s also based in Switzerland, which is a privacy haven.

   ProtonVPN Free is useless for streaming and torrenting, but it’s a great choice if privacy is your main concern.

   Data Cap	Unlimited
   Top Download Speedi Based on a 100Mbps test connection	95Mbps
   Logging Policy	Anonymous Server Usage Data
   Jurisdiction	Switzerland (Privacy Haven)
   See all features
   Torrenting	Restricted

   Privacy-friendly logging policy & Swiss jurisdiction

   ProtonVPN’s privacy policy is very close to zero-logs. It doesn’t collect information that could compromise your anonymity.

   It only collects the timestamps of your last successful login attempt. This is there to protect users from brute force password attacks.

   With no IP address recorded, ProtonVPN keeps you safe from the British government’s snooping. You’re also safe from the UK’s surveillance partners in the Five Eyes.

   ProtonVPN is based in Switzerland. This country has some of the world’s best privacy laws. And it sits outside EU data retention practices. For these reasons, we consider it to be a privacy haven.

   Highly secure AES-256 & OpenVPN encryption

   ProtonVPN Free’s security package is almost exactly the same as the paid service’s. It comes with a kill switch, AES-256 encryption, and the OpenVPN protocol (except on MacOS).

   There’s also DNS and IPv6 leak blocking and a split tunneling feature. You’ll be safe from UK hackers with ProtonVPN.

   ProtonVPN Free has an identical security suite to its paid version

   The only feature missing from ProtonVPN free are the Secure Core servers. This is a multi-hop feature that routes traffic through multiple servers for additional security.

   The company behind ProtonVPN has an excellent reputation in the online security world. It is an active advocate for privacy.

   The VPN’s source code has been published, making it transparent and open source.

   A third-party security audit has also been conducted of its VPN services. This was done by SEC Consult to verify ProtonVPN’s safety. There are none of the risks that come with downloading suspect free VPNs.

   No UK servers but 8 fast Dutch servers

   ProtonVPN has 16 VPN servers available to free users. This includes eight in the Netherlands, five in the US, and three in Japan.

   There are no UK servers, which isn’t ideal. However, the Netherlands is a neighboring country and we recorded download speeds of 60Mbps on our London-to-Netherlands speed tests. This is a very good result for a free VPN.

   That said, we have found that traffic is often congested thanks to ProtonVPN Free’s small number of servers. We measured just 21Mbps on US connections and 19Mbps for Japan.

   No data cap but useless for streaming and torrenting

   Torrenting is blocked on all of ProtonVPN’s free servers. You can’t stream UK TV with it, either. With no UK servers, you can’t watch British streaming services such as BBC iPlayer or All 4.

   We tested its free US server on Netflix, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+. It doesn’t work with any.

   Windscribe is a better VPN for streamers and torrenters than ProtonVPN.

   ProtonVPN Free does not permit P2P traffic

   ProtonVPN has no restrictions on data use. You won’t be able to stream, but you can browse the web endlessly. This gives ProtonVPN an advantage over Windscribe, Hide.me and most other free VPNs.

   ProtonVPN Free is the perfect VPN for safe web browsing in the UK. It’s a lifetime service and, with no data caps, is ideal for long-term security. But it’s not viable for streaming or torrenting. Sign-up is easy, with no payment details required.

   Visit ProtonVPN

   or read our full ProtonVPN Free Review.

3. 3. Hide.me: Fastest Free VPN for UK

   Fast London speeds, good security, safe torrenting.

    100% 

   (1 user reviews)

   Visit Hide.me

   Pros

   1. Fast UK speeds, no speed throttling
   2. 10GB free data per month
   3. Good security package
   4. P2P supported on free servers
   5. Based in privacy-friendly Malaysia
   6. Live-chat support

   Cons

   1. Streaming unsupported
   2. Long-distance connections are poor
   3. One device limit
   4. Advanced configurations unavailable
   5. No WireGuard protocol

   Overall Free UK VPN Rating: 7.9/10

   We calculate this rating based on the following five subcategories. To learn more, read our free UK VPNs testing process.

   • Data Cap: 9.5/109.5
   • UK Speeds: 9.5/109.5
   • UK Servers: 4.0/104
   • Logging Policy: 9.8/109.8
   • UK Streaming & P2P: 4.0/104

   Hide.me free has no speed restrictions. So its free version is just as fast as the premium one. Like ProtonVPN, it has no free servers in the UK but still manages to deliver the best London speeds of any free VPN. This is thanks to a very fast Netherlands server.

   We don’t recommend using Hide.me for longer-distance connections, but it has advanced security features and 10GB of free data per month, which makes it a decent free VPN for the UK. You can also torrent safely on its P2P-optimized servers.

   Data Cap	10GB Per Month
   Top Download Speedi Based on a 100Mbps test connection	72Mbps
   Logging Policy	Anonymous Server Usage Data
   Jurisdiction	Malaysia (Privacy Haven)
   See all features
   Torrenting	Permitted

   The fastest free VPN from within the UK

   Hide.me is the fastest free VPN for the UK. Our tests revealed download speeds of 72Mbps when connecting out of our London office.

   This is a very strong score for a free service, and is even more impressive given that Hide.me Free doesn’t offer any UK servers.

   Instead, we had to connect to Hide.me’s ‘Best Location’ server in the Netherlands. The VPN has free servers in North America and Europe:

   • Germany
   • Canada
   • Netherlands
   • USA East
   • USA West

   But there are none in Asia, South America, or Oceania. This is not as global or diverse as Windscribe. We’d only recommend Hide.me free if you’re from Western countries.

   10GB data cap but no streaming options

   With 10GB of free data, you can use Hide.me to browse the web safely for a long time.

   Unlike other VPNs, once this data expires you can still use the service. The difference is that you’re restricted to one server decided for you.

   You can’t use any of this data to stream, though. All of Hide.me’s streaming servers are unavailable – meaning British TV shows and Netflix are off-limits.

   You can only use Hide.me Free on one device at any time, too. It also doesn’t allow you to use WireGuard protocol. But it is ad-free.

   You can use Hide.me free across a number of devices. This includes Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Linux, Kodi, and Apple TV.

   Strong security package

   Even without WireGuard, Hide.me Free offers a robust security package.

   It uses the industry-standard AES-256 and OpenVPN encryption to protect your data. There is also a Stealth Guard feature so you can choose certain apps to only work when Hide.me is connected.

   The VPN has built-in leak protection, including IPv6 leaks, and custom DNS functionality. A kill switch protects your IP address from accidental exposures, too.

   This is useful if you’re torrenting on Hide.me’s P2P-optimized servers.

   Hide.me free has extensive security settings

   The company behind Hide.me is reputable and scandal-free. It has been audited and its privacy policy is very safe. Connection data is erased every few hours.

   So Hide.me will protect you against UK ISPs and unwarranted government spying. The fact that it’s based in Malaysia adds to this. It’s a privacy-haven. The UK’s intelligence partners in The Five Eyes don’t have any power here.

   Overall, Hide.me free is good for safe and fast browsing in the UK. It won’t work with any streaming services, but you can use it to torrent.

   Visit Hide.me

   or read our full Hide.me Review.

Free UK VPN FAQs

Are Free VPNs Safe in the UK?

Many free VPNs are not safe, especially in the UK. People download free VPNs thinking they’re safe from monitoring and hacking. But they’re not. Many other free VPNs are designed to collect, store, and sell your data. Some even inject malware.

Our free VPN investigations have revealed multiple common security flaws.

The three VPNs that we list on this page are certifiably safe. We’ve performed in-depth research into their effectiveness and performance. They will protect your right to privacy from data-gathering UK ISPs. And they’re from respected privacy companies. So you can download them knowing there’s no viruses or trackers.

There are other free VPNs that pose no threat to you. This includes free services from TunnelBear, Hotspot Shield, and Avira Phantom Free. Even though they’re safe, we don’t recommend these for the UK. Data restrictions are too strict. Or they don’t include UK servers.

Which Free VPNs Should I Avoid?

As a rule of thumb, you should avoid all free VPNs that don’t come from established companies.

Thousands of unchecked “VPNs” end up on the App Store and Google Play Store. Even if they’re not actively harmful, most are simply bad. They collect logs, sell your data, or just don’t work.

There are a number of free VPNs that you should not use. Although not exhaustive, the list includes:

• Archie VPN
• Earth VPN
• Hola Free VPN
• SuperVPN Free VPN Client
• Thunder VPN
• UFO VPN
• VikingVPN
• VPN Proxy Master

What Is the Best Free UK VPN for My Device?

The choices on this list are compatible with Windows, Android, MacOS, and iOS (iPhone and iPad). You can install free versions of Windscribe, Hide.me, or ProtonVPN on all these devices.

The best free UK VPN across these devices is Windscribe. All of its apps are user-friendly, especially after a recent update. However, split tunneling is only available on its Android app.

Browser Extensions

Browser extensions can be useful for safe lightweight browsing of the web. They unblock websites and change your IP. But they’re proxies, so don’t have encryption to protect you like a full VPN.

Windscribe has a very popular browser extension for Chrome and Firefox. It’s a completely free proxy and ad blocker with free London servers available. You have to upgrade to access Manchester and Edinburgh servers. It’s also useful that Windscribe also explains the difference between VPNs and extensions.

 

Windscribe’s free Chrome browser extension

Hide.me has a free browser extension for anonymous browsing, too. There is no registration required, or data cap. It’s available on Chrome and Firefox browsers. But it doesn’t have a UK server. For this reason, Windscribe is more useful.

ProtonVPN does not have any browser extensions.

Amazon Fire TV Stick

Windscribe has the best Firestick app. It’s currently our top free suggestion for the streaming device. It’s easy to use, fast, and unblocks BBC iPlayer. It’s limited to 10GB per month of streaming, so we recommend streaming in SD.

Hide.me also has an Amazon Fire TV Stick app. It’s free to test and easy to use. It’s also fast, which is good for streaming. And like Windscribe, it’s limited to 10GB.

ProtonVPN has unlimited data allowance, which makes it useful for Fire TV Stick users. But it doesn’t have a native app. If you’re prepared to sideload the VPN’s APK file or install it on your router, ProtonVPN has the benefit of no restrictions.

However, it doesn’t unblock global Netflix libraries. Due to its poor streaming capabilities, we recommend Windscribe.

Both Windscribe and Hide.me can be downloaded directly onto your Fire TV Stick from the Amazon app store.

Kodi

Kodi is a popular media player. Many like to watch movies and sports through its add-ons. ISPs sometimes fine people for using it, or block traffic. So it’s important to be protected by a VPN.

Windscribe is the best option for UK Kodi users. It has good speeds, free P2P servers, and strong security. A manual setup guide is available on its website. But with only 10GB of data available, you may run out quickly.

Hide.me free is another safe option for UK Kodi users. It has OpenELEC “Kodi” and LibreELEC “Kodi” installation options. On the other hand, ProtonVPN isn’t a good choice for UK Kodi users.

Linux

For Linux, Windscribe free is the best. Like most VPNs, it doesn’t have a GUI. But it does have a functional terminal that’s easily downloaded.

 

Windscribe Free is available on Linux

You can also use Hide.me free. But it requires manual configuration. Hide.me provides instructions, but the complexity might put off casual users.

The same applies to ProtonVPN. There is a manual workaround but it’s only a command-line tool. It is not a proper VPN app.

Can I Use a Free VPN to Watch British TV?

The only free VPN that can get around British geo-restrictions and stream British TV is Windscribe.

In fact, Windscribe free unblocks BBC iPlayer, BritBox, All 4, and ITV Hub.

By downloading the free version you can watch UK shows like The Great British Bake Off, Top Gear, Peaky Blinders, and Doctor Who.

However, the free VPN service limits you to 10GB of data usage per month, so you can’t stream shows endlessly.

Can I Use a Free VPN to Torrent in the UK?

As with streaming, Windscribe is the best free VPN for torrenting in the UK. A close second is Hide.me free, which includes P2P-optimized servers. Both are safe to use.

But we strongly advise against torrenting with any other free VPN. Most are insecure and won’t protect anonymity. There is rarely P2P support and speeds are slow, or your data capped. You won’t be able to download much at all.

Our research has discovered that 25% of free Android VPNs have DNS and IP leaks. More so, 85% ask for privacy-unfriendly permissions that are open to abuse.

Free services are often only free for the purpose of logging your data. They contain trackers and malware. Simply put, most can’t be trusted.

Which UK VPNs Don’t Require Payment Information?

Free VPNs should be easy to install and private. The less information they want from you the better, including payment details.

You don’t need to provide payment information to access free versions from Windscribe, ProtonVPN, or Hide.me. All you have to do is download the app and select the free option. It’s very simple.

Hide.me lets you choose between its free version and premium on installation

With no payment details required, you don’t have to remember to cancel. You can rest assured that you won’t be accidentally upgraded to a paid version.

There are other free VPNs that don’t require payment details. But they may demand intrusive permissions. Or they may log your web data to then sell it on.

You should only trust free services from established VPN companies. If the company also offers paid subscription plans, it’s clearer how the company is making money.

How to Get a Free UK VPN

It’s very easy to get a free UK VPN. There are hundreds of free VPNs on the App Store and Play Store, which you can download in an instant. We advise against installing most of them.

Instead, it’s best to download software from an established VPN company that you can trust.

For example, to get Windscribe (free version):

1. Head to Windscribe’s website.
2. Select ‘Download Windscribe’ on the home page.
3. Choose your device of use. Windscribe apps are available on MacOS, Windows, iOS, Android, and Linux.
4. Once downloaded, open the installation file and add to your device applications.
5. Open the Windscribe application.
6. You will be redirected to the Windscribe website to create an account.
7. Once you’ve generated a username and password, you will be able to log-in to Windscribe with this account—completely free.

To get a UK IP address, head to Windscribe’s free London server and select the ‘Connect’ button. You can use our What Is My IP Address tool to confirm you’re connected to the UK.