We've tested all the top VPNs these are the three we recommend for
protecting your data, plus a bonus free one

Date:
Sat, 02 Aug 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Description:
UK age verification is live. Here's how the Online Safety Act is changing the web and which VPNs can help you stay secure.

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The UK's Online Safety Act officially introduced age verification measures on July 25, reshaping how people access certain websites and services.

Designed to protect children from harmful content and make platforms more accountable, the rollout has sparked heated debate . Critics worry about increased tracking, potential data breaches, and the loss of online privacy.

With new restrictions in place, VPN interest in the UK has surged as users look for greater control over their browsing and data security. While we
don't encourage bypassing age checks, it's clear that VPNs have become a
go-to tool for those concerned about privacy and the changing internet landscape.

We've tested countless VPNs over the years youll find our full list of recommendations to the best VPNs and best free VPNs in our dedicated guides.

But if you just need a quick answer to which VPN to choose this weekend, weve got you covered here. These are the top options available today, plus a heads-up on what to look for in the small print. 1. NordVPN: best for most people

NordVPN still sits at the top of our rankings because its the best all-in-one VPN weve tested, delivering world-class security and speed, plus versatility from its extra features. Yes, Surfshark is slightly faster, and ExpressVPN just beats NordVPN on privacy and security in our most secure VPN guide, but at $3.39 / 2.69/month (on the two-year plan) NordVPN is cheaper than Express ($3.99 per month), better at unblocking geo-restricted content (its our top recommendation for streaming), and offers more extra features than both rival services.

NordVPNs Threat Protection feature blocks malware, ads, and trackers well, while its audited no-logs policy means that no browsing data is logged by its servers. (Those independent audits prove that NordVPN is operating exactly as it claims.)

The apps themselves are straightforward to use, making it a good choice for beginners.

In this new era of stricter internet rules, NordVPN is a great choice for
most people, and TechRadar has an exclusive deal . Sign up and get :

Up to 76% OFF
Up to $50 Amazon Gift card
4 months free protection (TechRadar exclusive)

Choose the Pro, Complete, Ultimate or Prime plans to get the deal. There's a 30-day money back guarantee, so ifit isn't right you can cancel your subscription and get a refund.

Read more: NordVPN review View Deal 2. Surfshark: top budget option

Surfshark is the cheapest VPN in our top three, at $1.99/ 1.89 per month on the two-year plan. It scored slightly lower than NordVPN and Express VPN in our privacy and security tests, but its still an extremely robust choice for keeping your data safe - and it beats the other two on speed. You also get unlimited simultaneous connections, so every device in your home can stay protected, which neither NordVPN or Express VPN offer.

Surfshark's CleanWeb tools block ads, trackers, and known malicious sites, while its audited no-logs policy ensures that your browsing remains private. In our experience, speeds remain consistently fast across both nearby and long-distance servers, making it perfectly capable for streaming, video
calls, and general browsing without interruptions.

Pricing is one of Surfshark's strongest selling points: plans start at around $2 per month on a two-year subscription, while monthly and annual plans
remain competitive for those who prefer flexibility. All plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee, and there's a seven-day free trial so you can
see whether it's right for you.

Read more: Surfshark review View Deal 3. ExpressVPN: great for beginners,
but not cheap

If you're new to VPNs and want something that works flawlessly from the
start, ExpressVPN is an excellent choice. Its apps are simple, intuitive, and consistent across devices, so you can connect securely in one click weve tested it with complete beginners and they were able to get it up and running with no issues.

It also scores highly where it counts, on privacy and security, beating NordVPN (only just though, as youll see in our most secure VPN guide). ExpressVPN's commitment to privacy is reinforced by multiple third-party audits and, like the two services above, it has a proven no-logs policy, giving newcomers peace of mind that their data isn't being tracked. Its Lightway protocol also optimises speed and reliability, even on slower connections.

One reason why its our third recommendation and not our first is that ExpressVPN costs more. Plans start at around $4 per month on a two-year plan. Every subscription includes a 30-day money-back guarantee, letting beginners test its performance risk-free.

Read more: Express VPN review View Deal PrivadoVPN Free: bonus free option

We don't recommend choosing a free VPN if data protection is your top priority, but if thats what youre looking for, then PrivadoVPN Free is one of the better services weve tested. It delivers AES-256 encryption, a strict no-logs policy governed by Swiss privacy laws, and industry-standard
protocols like WireGuard and OpenVPN. It hasn't yet undergone an independent audit though.

You get 10 GB of full-speed data every 30 days. After that limit is reached, traffic is throttled to around 1 Mbps. Thats fine for light browsing or occasional streaming, not for heavy use.

Despite the cap, speeds during the full-speed window are surprisingly fast, with many tests showing performance comparable to our top-scoring VPNs. It
can also unblock major platforms like Netflix and BBC iPlayer.

Still, if youre serious about protecting your data, wed recommend signing up for one of the services above.

Read more: PrivadoVPN Free review View Deal Five red flags to avoid when choosing a VPN

VPNs dont always guarantee complete anonymity , but using a reputable one does significantly boost your privacy online.

However, not all VPNs are created equal. While the services we've highlighted above have proven in our testing over the years to be trustworthy and reliable, there are plenty of options that can put your privacy, and your device, at risk.

Exclusively free VPNs are particularly notorious for tracking users or injecting ads to make money, and some paid services cut corners on security
or performance.

Here are five big red flags to watch out for when choosing a VPN: No independent security or privacy audit Vague privacy policies Slow connection speeds or frequent disconnections Severe data caps that make streaming or gaming impractical Limited server locations, restricting your connection options You might also like What is age verification? The privacy nightmare facing millions of UK internet users Over 450,000 Brits want to repeal the UK Online Safety Act here's how to have your say Could VPNs be banned? UK government to look "very closely" into their usage following spike after age verification row



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/vpn/vpn-services/the-3-hottest-vpns-for-protecting-y our-data-this-weekend-plus-a-bonus-free-option-chosen-by-our-cybersecurity-exp erts


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