Following the rollout of the UK’s Online Safety Act on July 25, curiosity in digital non-public networks (VPNs) has surged, notably amongst first-time customers. With new age verification guidelines limiting entry to sure on-line content material (comparable to adult-only web sites, courting apps, 18+ video video games, and social media platforms like X and Reddit), many are turning to VPNs as a workaround.
While utilizing a VPN stays authorized within the UK (to some extent), specialists urge warning: not all VPNs are created equal. In truth, as a workforce with over a decade of expertise reviewing VPNs, we at TechSwitch warn against relying on completely free options. Some VPNs provide sturdy safety and anonymity, however others might jeopardize your privateness and even promote your knowledge to 3rd events.
Keep reading, and we’ll guide you through how to identify and choose the best VPN that’ll preserve your on-line expertise safe.
1. Is the VPN transparent about its audit history?
Visit any VPN homepage and you’ll be greeted with bold promises: blazing speeds, global server coverage, military-grade encryption, and airtight no-logs policies.
Independent audits matter; only a handful of VPNs back up their privacy promises with third-party verification, usually from trusted firms like Deloitte, KPMG, PwC, West Coast Labs, and Cure53.
NordVPN, as an illustration, recently completed an independent audit that evaluated every part from reliability and pace to safety protocols. ExpressVPN underwent its 23rd successful audit by KPMG this yr, as soon as once more confirming that it doesn’t log person exercise, simply as acknowledged in its privateness coverage.
IPVanish and Surfshark each accomplished contemporary audits in 2025, additional reinforcing a rising trade development: if a VPN is not being usually and transparently audited, it might not be value your belief.
With many individuals voicing severe privateness considerations in regards to the new age verification legal guidelines and the delicate knowledge customers are being requested to share, it is extra essential than ever to decide on a VPN properly.
2. What protocols are on offer?
To protect users, VPNs use protocols, i.e., rules and methods responsible for securely transmitting your data between your devices and the VPN server.
VPNs utilize (and offer) several protocols, including OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2, and L2TP, every using totally different encryption strategies and connection varieties that influence safety, pace, and reliability.
While you’ll be able to select any of those, we usually suggest OpenVPN or WireGuard. OpenVPN is thought for its sturdy safety and suppleness, supporting each dependable TCP and sooner UDP connections.
Conversely, WireGuard makes use of fashionable cryptography to ship considerably sooner speeds and decrease latency.
Some VPN suppliers have developed their very own customized protocols to optimize efficiency and privateness additional. NordVPN’s NordLynx builds on WireGuard however provides privateness enhancements like dynamic IP task, whereas ExpressVPN’s Lightway makes use of the WolfSSL library to ship quick, safe connections optimized for low-resource units.
Choosing a VPN that provides a variety of protocols, together with trusted choices like OpenVPN and WireGuard (or their customized variants), ensures yow will discover the most effective mixture of pace, safety, and reliability that matches your particular wants.
3. Where are the servers?
While VPN protocols keep your data secure in transit, it’s the VPN servers that enable you to bypass geo-restrictions and access content otherwise unavailable in your region.
Every provider offers a different set of server locations, and where those servers are matters, especially for those using a VPN to access streaming services, like Netflix, ITV, or Channel 4, while travelling overseas.
For example, NordVPN, our best VPN for streaming, gives servers in 144 places throughout 111 nations, giving customers a broad and versatile vary of spoofing choices. The extra server choices a VPN has, ideally in a number of cities per nation, the extra dependable their entry can be if one connection will get blocked.
But location variety is not the one issue to think about. Some suppliers additionally provide specialised servers for added safety. For occasion, Proton VPN’s Secure Core routes customers’ visitors by privacy-friendly nations like Switzerland earlier than reaching their vacation spot, including an additional layer of encryption however doubtlessly lowering pace.
4. If the VPN is free, is it trustworthy?
The harsh truth is that most free VPNs come with serious strings attached. At finest, they throttle your pace, restrict server entry, and cap your month-to-month knowledge. At worst, they actively undermine your privateness, which is the very factor a VPN is supposed to guard.
Many free VPNs have been caught logging person exercise, injecting adverts or trackers, and even distributing malware. Some quietly promote your knowledge to 3rd events or advertisers, flipping the script solely on what a VPN ought to do.
That’s why we usually suggest sticking with trusted, premium VPNs.
However, if a free choice is the one route, ensure that it comes from a supplier with a stable observe document, clear audits, and a clearly outlined no-logs coverage.
ProtonVPN, our choose for the best free VPN, is one such instance. It delivers wonderful speeds, excessive safety, and spectacular privateness requirements, all with out compromising person belief.
While its free plan does include some limitations (like fewer server decisions, restricted simultaneous connections, and potential knowledge caps), it is a uncommon instance of a free VPN that does not lower corners the place it issues.
5. Is it user-friendly?
VPNs are complex and packed with settings that can be tweaked for everything from bypassing firewalls to fine-tuning performance.
IT pros might dig into these advanced features, toggling protocols, changing ports, and enabling obfuscation modes like OpenVPN over TCP 443 (which mimics HTTPS to sneak previous blocks). But, most individuals simply need hassle-free utilization.
Some suppliers, like ExpressVPN, are extra intuitive than others: simply open the app, choose a server, and also you’re good to go. In truth, our best VPN for beginners retains issues clear and easy.
Platforms additionally matter: telephones, tablets, laptops, even sensible TVs and gaming consoles all have devoted VPN apps. But not each supplier does all of them nicely. For instance, in the event you’re primarily in your cellphone, you will need the best VPN for Android to make sure optimum efficiency.
Also, whereas many VPNs limit you to round 5 to 10 units without delay, Surfshark and PIA (Private Internet Access) go a step additional and provide limitless simultaneous connections.