How to beat the UK porn ban with a VPN

Since July 2025, the UK Office of Communications has required porn sites to implement strict age verification methods in a bid to stop minors from accessing harmful content. However, this means that millions of consenting adults are effectively forced to share personal details (up to and including photographic ID) with adult sites, social media platforms, and chat apps.

With data breaches all too common these days, it’s not unreasonable for users to be wary of sharing their personal, sensitive details online. Luckily, you can bypass both regional blocks and any ID requirements by using a Virtual Private Network, or VPN.

Connecting to a VPN has two main functions. First, it encrypts your internet traffic, preventing your ISP from seeing what you get up to online. Then, your traffic is sent through a server in another location, which changes your IP address and makes it appear as though you’re browsing from outside of the UK. This means adult sites will no longer require verification, UK porn block and ID requirements entirely.

Disclaimer: this post discusses the UK’s mandatory age-verification systems for adult content. It is intended for privacy-conscious adults who don’t feel comfortable providing personally-identifiable information to any site that asks for it, not as a way to help minors circumvent these restrictions. We do not condone or promote this in any way, and stress that readers act on the information in this post at their own risk.

In this article, we’ll talk you through the best VPN to use to beat the UK porn ban, how to use them, and also answer some common VPN questions, but if you’re short on time? Don’t worry! Here’s a quick summary.

The best VPNs to bypass UK porn restrictions:

1. NordVPN: Our top VPN pick to beat UK porn restrictions. Unblock porn sites and stream securely. Over 8,000 superfast servers worldwide. Features live chat support and specialty servers, including Double VPN. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for porn ban.
2. Surfshark: Top budget choice for bypassing UK porn ID restrictions. Excellent unblocking abilities and provides apps for all the most popular platforms. Keeps no logs and packs plenty of security features.
3. Total VPN: A speedy, newcomer-friendly option that bypasses most regional restrictions with ease. Doesn’t keep logs and offers a high level of privacy.
4. ProtonVPN: This VPN has a proven no-logs policy, very high speeds, and a great set of security tools. Ideal for streaming or browsing adult sites safely.
5. ExpressVPN: Fast and reliable servers in 105+ countries. Bypass the UK porn block and access most geo-restricted content. Excellent apps, 24/7 customer support, and strong security with encryption.
6. IPVanish: Reliable VPN for browsing and streaming. Use on all of your devices simultaneously. Quick and easy to use and protects your privacy with a no-logs policy.
7. CyberGhost: Beat the UK porn ban with CyberGhost. Over 10,000 servers in 100+ countries. Offers fast streaming with unlimited bandwidth. Connect up to 7 devices. User-friendly and secure with a strict no-logs policy.
8. Private Internet Access: Military-grade encryption, servers in over 90 countries, includes a kill switch, and allows you to connect unlimited devices simultaneously.
9. PrivateVPN: Fast servers in dozens of countries for streaming adult content. Apps are easy to use for beginners. Strong security, including encryption and a kill switch.

How to beat the UK porn ban with a VPN

Beating UK porn blocks or ID requirements is surprisingly quick and easy. Just follow the step-by-step guide below, and you’ll have access to your favorite sites in no time.

Here’s how to beat UK porn restrictions with a VPN: 

1. Choose a VPN service with servers outside the UK – we particularly recommend NordVPN.
2. Install the VPN on your most-used devices. Generally, you’ll be allowed at least five simultaneous connections, so don’t worry if there are a few.
3. Clear the cookies and cache in your browser. This ensures that the site you’re trying to access forgets your UK IP address.
4. Open the VPN app or browser extension and connect to a server outside the UK. For example, connecting to a server in the US will give you a US IP address and bypass the UK porn ban restrictions.
5. You will now be able to access adult content without restriction!

How we found the best VPNs to beat the UK porn ban

While many VPNs will be able to beat the UK porn ban, not all are fast and secure. In order to find the best VPNs for avoiding porn restrictions we tested providers in all the following areas:

• Speed: If you want to stream porn in the highest resolution possible, then you’re going to need a fast VPN. We carried out multiple speed tests while connected to each provider’s servers in France.
• Streaming capabilities: The best VPNs for streaming porn have large server networks and are reliably able to overcome blocks. They also offer handy features such as an ad-blocker and traffic obfuscation.
• Security and privacy: To keep users’ online activities safe while streaming porn, VPNs need a suite of privacy and security features. We evaluate providers against more than a dozen different criteria to make sure we don’t miss anything.
• Ease of use: We prefer services that make day to day usage as simple as possible. To measure this aspect of each service, we use 10 different metrics, including the onboarding and cancellation process, customer support, and usability.
• Value for money: If you don’t currently pay for porn, you’re unlikely to want to pay over the odds for a VPN service in order to watch it. Our team evaluates providers on their lowest price, sale frequency, and more.

The above is just a summary. You can see the full details — and the results — of our tests later in the article. In the meantime, let’s take a closer look at the ones that made our list.

Best VPNs to watch porn without age verification in the UK

We’ve compared the most important features of the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for watching porn without age verification in the UK.

Best VPNs to beat UK porn blocks

Here’s our list of the best VPNs for beating the UK porn ban:

1. NordVPN

Oct 2025

NordVPN is our top pick for unblocking porn sites in the UK. Not only does it work with adult sites, it can reliably access popular streaming platforms like Netflix abroad. There are more than 8,000 servers to choose from and as if that wasn’t enough, this VPN regularly ranks very highly in our industry-wide speed tests.

The provider performed exceptionally well in our speed tests, which we carried out while connected to its servers in France. Over the course of a day, it averaged a download speed of 191.25 Mbps, more than 67 Mbps faster than the combined average of the other providers that we tested. NordVPN is easily capable of streaming porn in 4K (provided that your base connection speed is up to it).

NordVPN offers impressive security features. In addition to 256-bit AES encryption and DNS leak protection, it offers Double VPN servers designed to encrypt your data twice, as well as automatic ad and tracker-blocking. This company is based in Panama and has been audited several times to prove that it doesn’t keep logs.

You can download NordVPN apps for Windows, Android, Mac, iOS, and Android TV. There is also a fully open-source Linux GUI. Browser extensions are available for Chrome and Firefox. Routers have to be configured manually.

BEST VPN TO BEAT THE UK PORN BAN:NordVPN is our top choice. It has over 8,000 servers and allows you to access most adult content. Use on up to 10 devices. 24/7 live chat support and lots of security features, including specialty servers. A 30-day money-back guarantee makes it risk-free.

Read our full NordVPN review.

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2. Surfshark

Surfshark is our top budget VPN for watching porn in the UK. This low-cost service excels at accessing geo-blocked platforms such as ITVX, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer. It’s also one of the few that allows you to secure all of your devices at the same time, which is a huge selling point. There are 4,500+ servers in over 100 countries too, meaning you’ll have plenty of options.

The provider is known for its high speeds and outperformed all of the other VPNs on this list when we tested its servers in France. Surfshark’s average of 197.19 Mbps means it’s suitable for streaming porn in the highest resolution available. These results also show it’s well-suited to gaming and torrenting applications.

Surfshark has a surprisingly robust set of security tools given its low price point. These include 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and automatic tracker-blocking, as well as an audited no-logs policy. You can even activate the NoBorders mode or rotating IP address feature for another layer of anonymity.

Apps are available for Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, and Android. This VPN also offers extensions for popular browsers and manual setup instructions for most home routers.

TOP BUDGET CHOICE:Surfshark is excellent at unblocking restricted sites and has no limit on the number of devices you can connect. Large server network in around 100 countries. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of Surfshark here.

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3. Total VPN

Total VPN is an extremely versatile service that places major emphasis on ease of use. Simply select one of its servers outside of the UK (there are 1,800 to choose from, in 80+ countries) and you’ll be able to use whatever region-locked platform you feel like, from Prime Video to Netflix. Customer support is available via a ticket system on Total VPN’s website, and users can secure five devices simultaneously.

A sluggish VPN connection causes more problems than it solves, so it’s vital we only recommend providers that are quick enough. Our team put Total VPN’s French servers to the test, checking their speeds in the morning, at noon, and in the afternoon to see just how fast they were. Note that these were performed on a 250 Mbps connection. You’ll find our results in the table below:

Total VPN’s average speed was an impressive 186.43 Mps, putting it firmly amongst the fastest providers on the market. This result is well above what you’ll need for any day-to-day task, so you’re in good hands whether you want to stream, torrent, or play fast-paced online games. There was 14 Mbps of variance over the course of the day, which we’d like to see reduced but this is far from a major issue.

There’s no point in using a VPN that can’t keep your browsing habits private. Thankfully, you don’t have to worry about this with Total VPN. Its unbreakable encryption and protection against IPv6 and DNS leaks prevent all kinds of snooping, plus there’s a kill switch on most platforms. This service refuses to log details of your activities and even supports the Hydra protocol, which was specifically designed to hide the fact that you’re connected to a VPN. Finally, users can choose to let certain websites pass through the VPN (or only allow them to be visited if the VPN is active).

Total VPN has its own apps for iOS, Android, MacOS, and Windows.

ANONYMITY FIRST:Total VPN is perfect for anyone who’s never used a VPN before. It’s privacy-focused, fast, and able to unblock virtually any geo-blocked service (including adult sites). Annual plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, while shorter plans offer a 14-day guarantee instead.

Check out our Total VPN review for more info.

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4. ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN is a well-respected service with a lot to offer. For starters, it has the largest network around (13,000+ servers in more than 120 countries). Additionally, it’s one of the best at bypassing regional restrictions, so you can use adult sites, stream Netflix, or play geo-blocked games without any issues. Each plan lets you connect 10 devices at the same time and provides access to 24/7 live chat, just in case anything doesn’t work as expected.

This all sounds very promising but is ProtonVPN actually fast enough for streaming adult content? To find out, we ran three speed tests at different times of day using this VPN’s French servers. The table below shows how quick each was and allowed us to account for slowdown during busier periods like evenings or weekends. Take a look:

ProtonVPN had an average speed of 169.41 Mbps. For context, this means it’s one of the fastest providers we’ve tested and much faster than is needed for 4K streaming. It was highly reliable too, speeds only varying by around 6 Mbps. No matter what data-intensive task you have in mind, rest assured that ProtonVPN is quick enough to handle it.

This provider prides itself on it security offering. To begin with, it uses unbreakable 256-bit AES encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a kill switch that stops sending data the moment your connection drops. There’s also split tunneling and port forwarding functionality included as standard, alongside automatic ad and tracker-blocking, a stealth protocol, and an independently-verified zero-logs policy. In other words, ProtonVPN is a phenomenal choice for anyone who needs privacy.

ProtonVPN has its own apps for Linux, Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android. What;s more, it can be manually installed on a wide range of router firmware.

SIDESTEP CENSORSHIP:ProtonVPN can help you securely access virtually anything and won’t be stopped by regional limitations on adult sites. Offers strong security, great performance, and a 30-day money-back guarantee on paid plans.

Take a look at our full ProtonVPN review.

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5. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN has a large network, with reliable servers in more than 105 countries. Aside from porn sites, ExpressVPN is excellent for streaming and works with services like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video. It offers unlimited bandwidth and allows torrenting on any server, while providing 24/7 customer support over live chat. In other words, this novice-friendly service is extremely versatile.

We performed multiple speed tests on ExpressVPN’s French servers, using a 250 Mbps base connection. This service delivered average speeds of 113.2 Mbps, which is more than fast enough for flawless 4K streaming. As such, this is a great choice for watching adult content, P2P activity, chatting securely, or playing online games.

Let’s talk about security. This VPN keeps you safe using cutting-edge tools like unbreakable 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, IPv6 and DNS leak protection, and a newly-added tool that blocks ads, malware, shady sites, and trackers automatically. Crucially, ExpressVPN refuses to keep any logs of your browsing habits and can’t reveal what you get up to under any circumstances.

ExpressVPN has apps for iOS, MacOS, Windows, Android, and Linux systems. Additionally, it has its own Chrome and Firefox browser extensions and firmware designed to simplify the process of installing this VPN on your router.

FAST AND RELIABLE VPN:ExpressVPN unblocks most restricted content including porn sites in the UK. It’s fast and offers a variety of apps as well as 24/7 support. Strong security with encryption and a kill switch. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full ExpressVPN review.

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6. IPVanish

IPVanish is a fantastically versatile VPN that owns and operates more than 2,000 servers throughout 100+ countries. It can seamlessly access adult sites and a wide range of geo-blocked services including Netflix, even if you’re traveling abroad. Further, this is one of the only services that can protect every device you own at the same time. Live chat-based support is available 24 hours per day.

We wanted to make sure that IPVanish was quick enough to handle most tasks, so our team tested its French servers in the morning, at noon, and in the afternoon. This VPN delivered an average speed of 150.87 Mbps, making it one of the faster options on the market. IPVanish’s fast speeds mean you’ll have no buffering issues while streaming porn or anything else — particularly if you already have fast internet.

IPVanish secures your data with 256-bit AES encryption. Other security features include DNS leak protection and a kill switch. The VPN service also offers a no-logs policy, ensuring your personal information and online activity remain private. Just recently, this service added a link-safety checker and multi-hop servers, so it’s clearly committed to improving its service while keeping your activities hidden and secure.

IPVanish apps are available for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, and Amazon Fire TV. You can also manually ocnfigure it to work with most routers.

NO DEVICE LIMIT:IPVanish is a good value VPN that allows you to beat the UK porn ban. Connect all of your devices simultaneously. Safe to use with encryption and a no-logs policy. 30-day money-back guarantee if you choose its annual plan.

Read our full IPVanish review.

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7. CyberGhost

CyberGhost is a fast and beginner-friendly VPN service that has more than 10,000 servers in 100+ countries, allowing you to bypass the porn restriction in the UK with no problems. Better still, it has server specifically designed to access platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video from abroad. Users can connect up to seven devices simultaneously and there’s 24/7 live chat just in case you need it.

In our tests, the provider averaged 132.43 Mbps while we were connected to its French servers. That’s a strong result and well above what’s required for 4K streaming, gaming, or torrenting. Let’s take a closer look at those results:

One of the best things about this VPN is that it mostly takes care of security automatically. Its kill switch, AES-256 encryption, leak protection, and tracker-blocking features are all enabled by default, plus there’s a strict no-logs policy in place. CyberGhost’s more advanced features include a random port connection tool and the option to create smart rules that tell the VPN when to connect on its own.

CyberGhost offers apps for Windows, Linux, Mac, iOS, Android, Amazon Fire Stick, and Android TV. Browser extensions are available for Chrome and Firefox. You’ll have to manually install it on routers though.

VAST NETWORK OF SERVERS:CyberGhost is another solid choice. It’s highly secure, privacy-focused, and fast enough for high quality streaming, plus it allows up to seven simultaneous connections. Plans come with a 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full CyberGhost review.

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8. Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access has an expansive network with more than 35,000 servers spread throughout 90+ countries. This alone would make it an excellent option for beating the UK porn ban, but it’s also extremely easy to use and works with most popular geo-blocked streaming apps. Unlike most of its competitors, PIA even lets you secure as many devices as you like.

Our experts performed multiple tests on PIA’s servers in France, using a typical 250 Mbps connection. This VPN achieved an average speed of 86.84 Mbps, which is significantly faster than is required to stream 4K video, though there’s always room for improvement. Here are our full test results:

PIA keeps your privacy watertight with 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and DNS leak protection. To ensure you enjoy the best online experience, it also offers an ad blocker and malware blocker. There’s even a stealth protocol in case you need to use networks or services that block regular VPN traffic. Crucially, this service follows a zero-logs policy and has even been audited to prove it.

Private Internet Access has its own apps for iOS, Android, Linux, MacOS, and Windows. There are manual setup instructions on its website in case you’re interested in installing this VPN on your router.

SOLID SECURITY OFFERING:Private Internet Access protects your privacy with 256-bit encryption, lets you tweak your encryption for faster streaming, and has apps for all major platforms. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Private Internet Access review.

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9. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN is another attractive option for any anonymity-minded users. While it only has around 200 servers in 60+ countries, these are all owned and operated in-house for even greater privacy. Additionally, this service won’t be stopped by most online restrictons, even unblocking platforms like Hulu and Disney+ abroad. There’s a 10-connection limit and live chat-based support is available at most times of day.

Speeds are decent — and certainly good enough for streaming porn without interruption on Porn Hub, XVideos, and others. In our tests, PrivateVPN achieved a respectable average download speed of 93.84 Mbps.

PrivateVPN is a very secure service, keeping your activities private with 256-bit AES encryption, DNS leak protection, a kill switch, and a strict no-logs policy. For greater security, you can choose to sign up anonymously with a throwaway email address and cryptocurrency payments. It also has a Stealth Mode capable of beating the world’s strictest online censorship so that you can be safe wherever you go.

PrivateVPN apps are available for Windows, Mac, Android and iOS. Manual setup is required for Linux systems and routers.

UNINTERRUPTED STREAMING:PrivateVPN has fast servers for buffer-free streaming. Unblock porn in the UK or anywhere else. Beginner-friendly with the option of anonymous signup and payment. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full PrivateVPN review.

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What is the UK porn ban?

The UK’s porn ban refers to new rules under the Online Safety Act (OSA) that require strict age checks on any site that shows porn. These aren’t just casual warnings—they’re meant to block kids from even seeing explicit content unless they prove they’re adults.

Any platform that either hosts or links to porn now has legal duties. Sites that publish their own content (defined as “Part 5 services”) and platforms that host user uploads or searches (“Part 3 services”)—including generative AI services—must prevent minors from stumbling into adult content.

Part 5 sites had to start implementing these rules from 17 Jan 2025. Meanwhile, risky user-based platforms had to implement these changes by 25 July 2025. The focus? “Highly effective” age checks that go beyond a simple “Are you 18?”

Many porn sites likely already had age-verification tools that have been gathering dust since the first proposed UK porn ban was introduced under the Digital Economy Act 2017, and then abandoned in 2019.

So did it work? Well, Ipsos found that fewer than half of all Brits would be willing to provide ID in order to visit a website. Additionally, VPN providers have seen dramatic spikes in interest, with ProtonVPN alone saying it experienced more than a 1,400 percent jump in signups from within the UK after the Online Safety Act was passed.

How does the UK porn age verification work?

The OSA’s new rules allow porn sites a choice of so-called “highly effective” age verification methods, such as:

• Photo ID matching: Users upload a government ID that’s checked for authenticity and age.
• Facial age estimation: AI analyzes a selfie to estimate if someone’s over 18.
• Mobile network checks: Confirms age using data from phone carriers.
• Open banking: Verifies age through a user’s bank account (which requires them to be an adult).
• Credit card checks: Ensures the user holds an adult-only payment method. Debit cards do not qualify.
• Digital ID services: Uses verified third-party ID systems to confirm age.

The law expects these checks to happen before users see anything explicit, meaning no NSFW previews before age checks. Services must also make sure they don’t provide information or links to VPNs or other methods to bypass these protections.

Platforms also have to consider accessibility, user privacy, and work with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) to enforce any data protection requirements. Any service that fails to comply with these requirements would risk fines of up to 10% of their global revenue, or an outright ban by all UK ISPs.

Bypassing the UK’s porn ban with a VPN: FAQs