The 3 hottest VPNs for protecting your data this weekend – plus a bonus free option, chosen by our cybersecurity experts

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 – you’ll 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, we’ve 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

2. Surfshark: top budget option

3. ExpressVPN: great for beginners, but not cheap

PrivadoVPN Free: bonus free option

Five red flags to avoid when choosing a VPN

VPNs don’t 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:

1. No independent security or privacy audit
2. Vague privacy policies
3. Slow connection speeds or frequent disconnections
4. Severe data caps that make streaming or gaming impractical
5. 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