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Britons have outpaced most of Europe and the United States, with a record number of VPN downloads. In the first half of last year alone, over 10.7 million VPN downloads were recorded in the UK.
As a result, the UK now ranks eighth worldwide, and leads G7 nations when it comes to VPN adoption.
This surge in activity was partly driven by the introduction of the Online Safety Act last summer, which imposes strict age verification checks for anyone hoping to access certain websites in the UK. MPs have also spoken about the possibility of banning Britons from downloading and installing VPNs.
For those who don't know, VPNs protect your privacy by encrypting your internet connection and hiding your IP address, making it harder for websites, advertisers, and ISPs to track you. They also let you change your virtual location, helping you access geo-restricted content and browse more freely online.
And if you've ever subscribed to one of the best VPNs, or even the best cheap VPNs, then you're in good hands.
However, as VPN use accelerates across households and multiple devices, one often-overlooked factor is becoming increasingly important — device limits. Most VPN providers restrict how many PCs, smartphones, tablets, and other smart devices can be connected under a single subscription.
With more users protecting multiple devices at once, hitting these limits is easier than ever — making it essential to understand exactly how many devices your VPN plan supports before committing.
If you pick up a subscription to NordVPN, you can connect up to 10x devices with the same account, regardless of which price plan you choose at checkout.
Connect up to 10x devices with a NordVPN subscription
For a limited time, NordVPN is offering a generous 70% discount on its VPN subscriptions. That drops the effective monthly price of this award-winner to just £2.59. Since you'll need to commit to a two-year plan to unlock the maximum savings, Nord offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on all subscriptions
NordVPN
$8.69
$2.59
If you're unfamiliar with Nord, this well-loved brand has a shelf bulging with awards and recently expanded its VPN server locations to cover more than half of all countries worldwide.
NordVPN recently upped the number of devices that can be signed into the same account to a maximum of 10, so you'll be able to protect every gadget you own. Headquartered in Panama, this brand is known for its extensive server network with over 5,000 server locations spread across 60 countries.
Notable features include double VPN encryption, Threat Protection, and Onion Over VPN, which enhance user security and anonymity. In 2022, NordVPN was recognised as one of TIME's Best Inventions, underscoring its innovative approach to cybersecurity.
While some users report occasional speed fluctuations, its strong reputation and comprehensive feature set make NordVPN a commendable choice for those seeking reliable online protection and privacy.
However, ExpressVPN actually tops the list with 14 devices you can connect simultaneously.
Connect up to 14x devices with an ExpressVPN subscription
Protect your personal information and encrypt everything you do online for just £4.39 with the latest ExpressVPN deal. This blockbuster sale trounces NordVPN, its biggest competitor.
ExpressVPN adds military-grade encryption across up to 14x devices, including iPhone, Android, Linux, Windows, Mac, Fire TV, and dozens more, to secure your internet traffic from prying eyes, advertisers, and governments. You'll benefit from an extra 4 months free with a two-year plan.
ExpressVPN Pro
$17.48
$4.39
Following a dramatic shake-up earlier this year, ExpressVPN now has three distinct subscription tiers:
- Basic
- Advanced
- Pro
Each of these plans has different device limits and features.
First up, the Basic tier costs £1.99, allows up to 10x simultaneous devices, which can be spread across all your devices. The Advanced tier, which costs £2.79 a month, allows you to connect to 12x devices, while the most expensive £4.39 Pro tier will enable you to have 14x devices.
The great thing about ExpressVPN subscriptions is that they don’t just give you a VPN.
It’s Advanced, and Pro tiers come with plenty of other features, including a password manager, an eSIM to use for iPhone, as well as a sizable discount for Aircove routers – a router that has a VPN built-in, allowing for privacy across all devices in the home. In our ExpressVPN review, we praised the incredible value of the Express Basic subscription, but cautioned that its pricier plans won't be a good investment for everyone.
For the Pro tier, it also comes with a dedicated IP address – a highly requested feature from users, and the IP address is exclusive to you, so that not even ExpressVPN knows what it is.
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is software that protects and anonymises everything you do online. | UNSPLASH VPN meaning, explained
VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. They're applications that protect everything you do online by encrypting your web traffic — making it anonymous and untraceable to anyone outside of the secure connection between you and the website or service you're using.
It's like the difference between sending someone a heartfelt message on the back of a postcard (without a VPN) or a letter in a padlocked package (with a VPN).
If you want to ensure every device is connected via a VPN, from Smart TVs to smartphones, you might bump-up against the upper 10x device limit with NordVPN
|NORDVPN PRESS OFFICE
That's because VPNs create an encryption tunnel where all of the communication between your gadget and the internet is funnelled. This is why it's so important not to rely on a VPN with speed or bandwidth restrictions, since you'll soon see a hit to your performance.
The best VPNs rely on the same military-grade encryption as governments in the UK and the USA, so even the Internet Service Provider (ISP) that provides your home Wi-Fi won't be able to record a list of the sites you're visiting, how long you spend on each site, and your devices.
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Are VPNs legal?
Let's set the record straight — using a VPN to safeguard your data online is not a legal offence.
If you've been issued a company laptop to work remotely, the IT department will likely require you to use a VPN before you start a shift. Needless to say, this isn't against the law.
But while VPNs were once solely used in enterprise and government spheres, these apps are becoming increasingly popular with people across the world to improve personal online security.
As all of us rely on the internet for more and more of our daily lives, VPNs are an essential way to enhance privacy, block advertisers from tracking your movements, unlock streaming TV shows and sports coverage, and even find cheaper flights.
VPNs, however, are illegal in 10 countries:
- China
- Russia
- Belarus
- North Korea
- Turkmenistan
- Uganda
- Iraq
- Turkey
- UAE
- Oman
If you're currently based in any of these nations or plan on visiting one soon, consider uninstalling any VPN apps from your devices. Outside of these countries, VPNs are legal and can be used without restrictions.
But while it might be legal, it's worth noting that using a VPN might be against the Terms of Service of some websites or mobile apps, so it's always worth checking the T&Cs to make sure you're in the clear.
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