Disclosure: the links below are affiliate links. If you sign up through one we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. Commission does not decide the order: the criteria we used are listed underneath, and every figure on this page should be checked against the provider’s own site before you buy.
You do not need a VPN to watch Northlight TV. If you want one anyway, for privacy on public Wi-Fi or because your broadband provider throttles video, these are the three we would look at first.
How we picked
Streaming asks different things of a VPN than browsing does. These are the five that matter, in order:
- UK servers, and enough of them. A licensed UK service should be watched on a UK connection. One overloaded London server is not enough.
- Modern protocols. WireGuard is considerably faster than OpenVPN for video.
- Apps for TV devices. Fire TV and Android TV apps matter far more than another browser extension.
- Router support. The only way to cover Roku, Apple TV and most smart TVs.
- An audited no-logging policy. A claim is marketing. An independent audit is evidence.
Price came last. A cheap VPN that buffers is not a bargain.
At a glance
| [VPN 1 NAME] | [VPN 2 NAME] | [VPN 3 NAME] | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Overall | Value | Privacy |
| Price | [INSERT] | [INSERT] | [INSERT] |
| UK servers | [INSERT] | [INSERT] | [INSERT] |
| Devices at once | [INSERT] | [INSERT] | [INSERT] |
| Fire TV app | [INSERT] | [INSERT] | [INSERT] |
| Router support | [INSERT] | [INSERT] | [INSERT] |
| Independent audit | [INSERT] | [INSERT] | [INSERT] |
| Money-back period | [INSERT] | [INSERT] | [INSERT] |
Checked [INSERT DATE]. VPN pricing changes often, so confirm on the provider’s site.
1. [VPN 1 NAME] — best overall
[WRITE TWO SENTENCES ON WHY THIS IS YOUR TOP PICK, BASED ON YOUR OWN TESTING.]
What stands out
- [INSERT VERIFIED STRENGTH, e.g. number of UK server locations]
- [INSERT VERIFIED STRENGTH, e.g. WireGuard speeds you measured]
- [INSERT VERIFIED STRENGTH, e.g. Fire TV and Android TV apps]
Where it falls short
- [INSERT AN HONEST DRAWBACK. Every service has one, and a review without one reads as an advert.]
Best for: [WHO IT SUITS] — [VPN 1 NAME].
2. [VPN 2 NAME] — best value
[WRITE TWO SENTENCES ON WHY THIS IS THE VALUE PICK.]
What stands out
- [INSERT VERIFIED STRENGTH]
- [INSERT VERIFIED STRENGTH]
- [INSERT VERIFIED STRENGTH]
Where it falls short
- [INSERT AN HONEST DRAWBACK]
Best for: [WHO IT SUITS] — [VPN 2 NAME].
3. [VPN 3 NAME] — best for privacy
[WRITE TWO SENTENCES ON WHY THIS IS THE PRIVACY PICK.]
What stands out
- [INSERT VERIFIED STRENGTH, e.g. jurisdiction]
- [INSERT VERIFIED STRENGTH, e.g. audit history]
- [INSERT VERIFIED STRENGTH]
Where it falls short
- [INSERT AN HONEST DRAWBACK]
Best for: [WHO IT SUITS] — [VPN 3 NAME].
What to ignore in VPN marketing
- Server counts in the thousands. What matters is how many are in the UK and how busy they are, not the global total.
- “Military-grade encryption”. Every serious VPN uses the same standard. It is not a differentiator.
- Lifetime deals. Running a VPN costs money every year. A one-off payment tells you something about how long the company expects to be around.
- Claims about unblocking everything. These change week to week, and using a VPN to watch outside the UK may breach our terms of use.
Do you need one?
If you are at home, on your own broadband, watching a licensed service, probably not. A VPN earns its place on public Wi-Fi, or if your provider slows video at peak times.
Whichever you choose, our VPN setup guide walks through getting it working on your router, computer, phone, Fire TV and smart TV. And a VPN will not fix buffering caused by a weak connection — the standard steps handle that.