Worried about UK age verification laws? Here are the best age verification VPNs to protect yourself

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Age verification is becoming a common, and potentially costly, occurrence. The UK is the latest country to introduce such measures, leaving the personal data of young adults in rather dire straits.

The biggest risk comes from the verification itself. Sending your data to a third-party verification service leaves your data vulnerable to interception by cybercriminals. This puts not only the details you've entered at risk, but also any details criminals can access by tracing where you connected from.

Fortunately, a VPN can serve as a one-stop solution to this problem. By encrypting your user traffic and connecting you to the sites you need, via a server with a different IP address, it can protect your data from any unwarranted criminal access.

We've tested five of the best VPNs. These VPNs provide rock-solid privacy, access to a host of server locations around the world, and speeds that ensure you'll never be stuck with slow load times or buffering.

The best age verification VPNs in 2025

EXCLUSIVE NordVPN DEAL – the best VPN overall

NordVPN is our top-rated VPN overall. It offers some of the fastest speeds we've tested, has servers worldwide, and unblocks content flawlessly.

- 76% off 2-year NordVPN plans
- Get 4 extra months FREE!
- And an Amazon Gift Card up to £50 in value.

NordVPN comes with unlimited access to its global network of over 7,400 servers in over 120 countries around the world.

Despite its popularity, you'll have no issues with overcrowding. There'll be no slow access or buffering of your streams thanks to its policy of running its network no busier than at 30% of capacity.

Plus, its NordWhisper protocol offers added security to reassure you that your data won't be intercepted by cybercriminals, snooping governments, or the like.

We've tested all of its protocols for unblocking popular streaming services, and it's a top performer, no matter the region you choose.

Surfshark 7-day free trial – the best cheap VPN

Surfshark is excellent value. It brings maximum functionality at a minimal price. That makes it just the ticket if you want hundreds of server locations and unlimited streaming.

Thanks to its 7-day free trial, you can also try before you buy.

- Servers in over 100 countries
- 7-day free trial
- Unlimited streaming

With servers in 100 countries, you'll have no difficulty accessing all of your favorite sites and services. Plus, should any service ask for an email address, you can use Surfshark's Alternative ID tool to create an alias email that you can use to filter out spam messages from your inbox.

It has one of the simplest UIs out there, making it perfect for beginners, and one of the best multi-hop systems available, which will doubly ensure that your real IP address remains hidden.

Best of all, though, is that very reasonable price. It starts at $1.99 per month on the 24-month plan. As with most VPNs, though, there's a 30-day cooling-off period in case you change your mind.

Proton VPN – free, unlimited, and super secure

Proton VPN is the only VPN that offers unlimited usage to its free customers. It also has an excellent track record for privacy, which makes it a very compelling choice for anyone looking for a free VPN for age verification.

The only drawback is that it's not strictly meant for streaming purposes, so it's not impossible that you might fall foul of its fair usage policy at some stage. Should that happen, though, you can always upgrade to Proton VPN Plus – which is the paid tier of this VPN and an excellent product in its own right.

- Free VPN
- Unlimited usage
- Not strictly for streaming
- Five server countries

Proton VPN's biggest limitation is that you can't pick the server you connect to but with the five available servers listed as Poland, Romania, Netherlands, Japan and the US, that might not be an issue for you age verification needs.

The free plan includes speeds up to 335 Mbps, and access to all of its protocols, including the proprietary, super-secure, Stealth protocol.

Like all the best VPNs, it has a no-log policy which keeps your user data safe by not recording any in the first place.

PrivadoVPN Free – the best free VPN

You don't need to spend big for an age verification VPN. PrivadoVPN Free is our top-rated free VPN which allows you to choose from 13 difference country locations and clocks speeds of up to 950 Mbps, rivalling some paid VPNs.

The downside is that there's a 10 GB data limit each month. So, if you intend to use it for streaming, you will find you run out of data after a few days. For that reason, you might prefer a different VPN on this list.

- Free VPN
- 10 GB per month data cap
- 13 different country locations
- Fast speeds
- Allows streaming usage
- Privacy credential unaudited

The other important negative to note is that PrivadoVPN's privacy credentials have not been audited by a third party.

So, although we're confident that the company is good to its word when it comes to its no-logs policy and handling of user data, you may wish to rely on another company when it comes to protecting your browsing information and your local IP address.

Norton VPN – Exclusive deal – 60-day money-back guarantee – 7-day free trial

Norton VPN has recently undergone something of a revival, and to great effect. It's now seriously quick, offers every feature you'd expect from a trustworthy, capable VPN, and comes with the Norton seal of security too.

What's more, it's offering a true 7-day free trial and a 60-day money back guarantee, so you can try its:

- Over 900 Mbps download speeds
- Servers in over 100 locations
- Norton pedigree security

Without fear of losing your money. On the topic of cost, TechRadar readers can get a year of Norton VPN for only $2.50 per month with our exclusive deal!

Norton VPN is an audited, super-quick, and seriously-simple VPN, with a UI that anyone can grasp in seconds. Plus, only paying for a year means you're paying much less upfront than you would for any other provider listed!

Age verification: frequently asked questions

Can a VPN protect your identity against cybercriminals?

Yes, a VPN helps protect your identity from cybercriminals by encrypting your connection to the internet. This makes any information you send unreadable and also untraceable back to your home IP.

Rob is TechRadar's VPN Editor. Coming from a background in phones and technology, he's no stranger to the risks that come with putting yourself online. Over years of engaging with different platforms, testing the limits of his online persona, and feeling the brunt of several data breaches, Rob has come to gain a keen understanding of cybersecurity and the benefits of services such as VPNs in providing a secure online experience. He uses this to not only advise on the best ways to stay secure online but also share his own experiences and especially how to avoid trouble. Outside of work, you'll find Rob on the tennis courts, in the gym, or diving into the biggest and best games of the year.