5 Best VPNs for Virgin Media — Tested & Working in 2023

If you’re looking for a VPN to avoid Virgin Media throttling your internet speeds, blocking websites, or restricting file sharing, you're not alone. Due to the UK’s data retention laws, Virgin Media can’t offer any meaningful online privacy either, so a VPN helps you browse more privately. If you’re traveling abroad, it can even help you watch your favorite shows on Virgin TV Go.

It can be hard to find a VPN with good security and privacy as well as fast speeds and first-class unblocking capabilities. On top of that, Virgin Media blocks many popular VPNs. I’ve tested 20 VPNs to find ones that still work with Virgin Media.

My top choice is ExpressVPN because of its reliable and fast connections, top-notch security features, and easy-to-use apps. It also has a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can try it risk-free. If it’s not for you, you can get a full refund.

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Best VPNs for Virgin Media — Full Analysis (Updated in 2023)

1. ExpressVPN — Best Overall Virgin Media VPN With Superfast Speeds for Uninterrupted Connections

ExpressVPN’s lightning-fast speeds can help you access your favorite sites without slowing down your connection. Since it masks your IP address, you can avoid Virgin Media’s throttling and enjoy ExpressVPN’s superfast speeds instead. When I tested its nearby servers, I got an average speed of 189 Mbps, only 7% slower than my base connection of 202 Mbps. Even with further away servers, my average speed was 182 Mbps. I also watched Queer Eye on Netflix UK and had no issues with buffering.

I was connected to ExpressVPN’s London server while watching Netflix

Its proprietary Lightway protocol also helps you browse securely without sacrificing performance. It uses wolfSSL, a cryptography that’s been tested by experts, and offers the same level of security that the NSA uses to protect its data. That way, you never have to worry about Virgin Media or other third parties tracking your data. When I tested it, I didn’t have any issues with speed and found that it used less battery than other protocols.

If you’re using Lightway or set the protocol to “Automatic”, all of ExpressVPN’s servers will be obfuscated. This adds extra security and makes the VPN less detectable to ISPs like Virgin Media. You can also use its Threat Manager (DNS blocker), which prevents access to apps or websites known for using trackers. I found that you can use this feature on iOS, macOS, and Linux.

ExpressVPN protects your data by sending it through a tunnel secured with AES 256-bit encryption, the same one that the US military uses. All of its 3,000 servers, including the 5 UK locations use the same level of protection. In addition, its Network Lock kill switch disables your internet if the VPN connection drops, so your IP is never exposed.

It has a strict no-logs policy, which has been independently audited by PwC. It’s also based in the British Virgin Islands, which has very privacy-friendly laws. ExpressVPN’s TrustedServer technology further protects your privacy by running on RAM only and deleting all data after each reboot.

ExpressVPN’s plans are a bit pricey, though the stellar speed and security are worth it. Plans start at $6.67/month, but I was able to save when I bought a subscription with its 49% discount.

All ExpressVPN plans are backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can try it risk-free. To make sure it’s legitimate, I signed up for a new account to test it. After 3 weeks, I requested a refund through the 24/7 live chat. An employee responded immediately and processed my refund. I had the money returned to my account within 4 days.

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2. CyberGhost — NoSpy Servers to Avoid Virgin Media Tracking Your Internet Activities

CyberGhost’s NoSpy servers offer extra protection and anonymity. While many VPN servers are operated by third-party data centers, CyberGhost’s NoSpy servers are inside its headquarters in Romania. This makes it impossible for Virgin Media to access your data. Additionally, this is a no-logs VPN, which means that it doesn’t collect any of your information.

I used CyberGhost’s NoSpy server to keep my connection secure

It has 3 UK server locations that help you avoid Virgin Media’s content blocks. These are part of a vast network of 9,487 servers in 91 countries, allowing you to access content worldwide. It has specialized servers for streaming, torrenting, and gaming, so you can always enjoy top-quality performance and stay protected online.

All servers are easy to find in CyberGhost’s user-friendly apps even if you’re new to VPNs. When I opened the settings panel on the desktop app, I could easily find the optimized ones organized into separate tabs. I was also able to favorite servers for easy access by clicking the star next to the server name.

It also offers excellent speeds for streaming, torrenting, and gaming. When I tested it out, I got average speeds of 218 Mbps, just 13% slower than my base connection of 250 Mbps. I didn’t experience any slowdowns or interruptions. With speeds like these, you can easily avoid Virgin Media’s throttling.

CyberGhost offers DNS leak protection so your internet activities are never visible to your ISP or hackers. It does this by using its DNS instead of your ISP’s. Its desktop and mobile apps also come with an automatic kill switch which ensures your privacy by shutting down your internet connection when you're changing servers.

If you want to add extra privacy, you can connect via a random port. This option is available for the OpenVPN protocol and will connect through a randomly chosen port each time, making it harder for Virgin Media to track your connection.

The only downside is that CyberGhost’s short-term plan is more expensive and only offers a 14-day money-back guarantee. In addition, plans shorter than 1 year don’t offer NoSpy servers. However, you can get a long-term plan for just $2.19/month.

All of CyberGhost’s longer plans are backed up by its 45-day money-back guarantee. I tested this by requesting a refund in the 24/7 live chat after 6 weeks of using it. A customer service representative answered me within a few minutes. They asked me if there were any issues, but processed my refund immediately when I said no. I received the money back in my account within 5 days.

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3. Private Internet Access — Multi-Hop Feature to Avoid Virgin Media’s Web Filters

Private Internet Access (PIA)’s Multi-Hop feature keeps your connection secure by routing your data through both a VPN server and a proxy server. This helps you get past Virgin Media’s content blocks and throttling by hiding the fact that you’re using a VPN. I found this feature easily in the expanded menu and chose which server to use with the Shadowsocks proxy.

PIA’s app allows you to customize settings for security and convenience

PIA also has an option for port forwarding which is helpful for torrenting and bypassing NAT firewalls. I used it when torrenting and found that it actually did increase my download speeds.

You can also use the standard kill switch to protect your connection by blocking your internet when the VPN connection drops. If you want extra protection, you can turn on the Advanced Kill Switch, which stops all internet traffic until PIA is turned on. You can also create rules to connect your VPN whenever you join certain WiFi networks with the Connection Automation feature.

PIA has an extensive network of 29,650 servers in 84 countries to help you avoid overcrowding and slow speeds. This includes 3 UK server locations, which reliably get around Virgin Media’s VPN-blocking technology. It also has a streaming-optimized server in the UK, so you can watch your favorite shows in HD while traveling abroad.

It performed well in my speed tests, with average speeds of 264 Mbps, only 14% slower than my base connection of 308 Mbps. Although this is a bit slower than ExpressVPN and CyberGhost, it’s still fast enough for streaming, gaming, and torrenting.

PIA’s drawback is that it’s based in the US, which means it is subject to the laws of the 5 Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance. However, it has a court-proven no-logs policy, so it doesn’t collect any of your identifiable data.

Its plans start at $2.03/month and it’s currently offering a 83% discount. It comes with short- and long-term plans so you can subscribe for as long as you need.

All of PIA’s plans are covered by its 30-day money-back guarantee so you can try it out risk-free. I was able to request my refund through PIA’s live chat. After I provided my order number, the agent offered me the option to troubleshoot any problems and proceeded to refund my account. I got the money back in my account in 5 days.

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4. IPVanish — Unlimited Simultaneous Connections to Protect All Your Devices

IPVanish allows you to have unlimited simultaneous device connections so everyone in your household can avoid Virgin Media’s throttling and content blocks. This gives you a great value for your money since you can protect all your devices with just 1 subscription. I tested it out by using my computer to download a book from The Pirate Bay while browsing on my phone. My connection was just as stable as when I was just using the computer.

I used IPVanish to download a book from The Pirate Bay

It also has pretty fast connection speeds so you can stream or browse without interruptions. In my tests, I got average speeds of 76 Mbps, just 16% slower than my base connection of 91 Mbps. It also has 4 UK locations, so you’ll never have to worry about slow speeds due to overcrowding.

Employing AES 256-bit encryption, IPVanish prevents Virgin Media or other third parties from accessing your information. The VPN also includes a kill switch, which I evaluated by sequentially transitioning between servers. During the brief intervals between server switches, my internet connection was interrupted, confirming the kill switch's effectiveness. Furthermore, you can block LAN traffic to avoid data leakage while torrenting.

IPVanish offers a selection of VPN protocols, including WireGuard and OpenVPN, granting you the flexibility to choose. By utilizing OpenVPN, you can take advantage of IPVanish's Scramble feature, which aids in bypassing VPN blocks imposed by Virgin Media. This feature achieves its purpose by encoding and rearranging your data packets.

This VPN doesn’t offer as many payment options as some other VPNs, but you can pay with PayPal or most major credit or debit cards. Its cheapest plan starts at $2.49/month. It’s also offering a discount right now with 77% off its long-term plan.

Its yearly plan is backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can try IPVanish risk-free. I found the process easy — all you need to do is cancel your subscription, and your refund will be processed automatically. I had my money back in my account within 6 days.

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5. PrivateVPN — Stealth VPN Feature to Hide Your VPN Use From Virgin Media

PrivateVPN’s Stealth VPN feature helps you avoid Virgin Media’s tracking and get access to your favorite sites. This feature hides the fact that you’re using a VPN, giving you extra protection. I turned it on in the app’s “Advanced View” by selecting the menu dedicated to this feature. It’s been proven to work even in countries with strict censorship, like China.

The Stealth VPN feature is easy to find in PrivateVPN’s Advanced View

It has good speeds for uninterrupted streaming, browsing, or torrenting. In my speed tests, I got average speeds of 296 Mbps, just 20% slower than my normal internet connection (369 Mbps). I also tested it out by watching an episode of Doctor Who on BBC iPlayer and had no issues with buffering.

PrivateVPN uses military-grade encryption to make your data impossible to read. It also allows you to customize your encryption with the OpenVPN protocol. You can choose between AES 128-bit and AES 256-bit encryption, as well as GCM and CBC ciphers for your desired balance of speed and security. I chose the AES 256-bit GCM encryption to get the highest level of security while browsing.

The service provides IPv6 and DNS leak prevention, ensuring that your actual IP and online behaviors are not visible to Virgin Media. During my IP/DNS leak examination, only the VPN's IP was disclosed, indicating a leak-free system. According to its privacy policy, it doesn't gather any traffic or usage information, making it inaccessible to third parties as well.

The drawback is that PrivateVPN has a smaller server network, but it has 2 UK server locations so you can access all your favorite content. In fact, it is one of the few VPN services that reliably unblocks Virgin TV Go so you can access your favorite shows even when traveling abroad.

PrivateVPN offers a number of payment options, including Bitcoin and its plans start at $2/month. It also offers monthly and long-term plans so you choose a subscription based on how long you need it.

All plans are covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can test it out with no risks. If you change your mind, you can get a full refund by contacting customer service via live chat or email. The process was hassle-free when I tried it, and I got my money back within a week.

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Quick Comparison Table: Virgin Media VPN Features

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Tips on Choosing the Best VPN for Virgin Media

In order to overcome the blocks and throttling imposed by Virgin Media, you require a VPN equipped with superior security, a worldwide server network, and high speeds. Each of my top-rated VPNs excel at streaming and torrenting, and they incorporate industry-standard security features like AES 256-bit encryption, DNS leak protection, and a kill switch. Compatibility with your ISP, no data logging, and the availability of customer service around the clock are additional important factors for your VPN.

• Compatible with Virgin Media. Virgin Media blocks many VPNs, so I’ve made sure that all of my recommended VPNs are compatible with it.
• Secure connections. All of my top VPNs include security features like AES 256-bit encryption and a kill switch so you can browse safely. Many also have obfuscation to get past Virgin Media’s VPN blocks more easily. If you’re looking for extra security, you can also customize your VPN protocols and choose a VPN that offers DNS/IPv6 leak protection and split tunneling.
• Servers worldwide, including the UK. The size of your VPN’s server network can determine whether you run into problems related to overcrowding. However, the VPN’s server locations are also important. If you’re trying to access Virgin TV Go from abroad or avoid Virgin Media tracking, make sure it has servers in the UK.
• Watertight privacy policy. The VPNs I recommend all have a no-logs policy, meaning that they don’t keep any records of your internet activity (unlike Virgin Media). However, different VPNs may be subject to different government rules depending on where they’re based, so it’s important to check your VPN’s headquarters location.
• Fast speeds. If you’re trying to bypass Virgin Media’s throttling, you’ll need a VPN with fast speeds to get back to your normal uninterrupted browsing. My recommended VPNs all have speeds fast enough for streaming, gaming, and torrenting.
• 24/7 customer support. Your VPN’s customer support can help you with Virgin Media-related issues like trouble bypassing VPN blocks or setting up your router. I made sure to choose VPNs with responsive, helpful, and easily accessible customer support.
• Easy-to-use apps. This is more important if you’re a VPN beginner, but an intuitive user interface can be helpful for anyone using a VPN with Virgin Media. All of the VPNs I recommend are user-friendly, so you can get online and past Virgin Media’s VPN blocks in minutes.

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Is Virgin Media Blocking Your VPN? Here’s How to Set it Up

Many people have a hard time getting a VPN for Virgin Media because it blocks many VPN websites. If this is happening to you, try one of these workarounds:

Method 1: Remove Virgin Media’s Web Filters

Virgin Media has child-safe filters that block content deemed inappropriate for children, along with anonymization services like VPNs. You can actually reach out to Virgin Media and ask them to remove these filters. This is probably the easiest option and should allow you to access any website you’re looking for.

Method 2: Share Your Connection From 1 Device

If you share your connection with others in your building, or have other restrictions on your internet, you may not be able to get your Virgin Media filters removed. In this case, you have a few options to visit the VPN site and make an account.

1. Use another WiFi network to download the VPN. Although I wouldn’t normally recommend using public WiFi due to the lack of privacy and associated risks, it will allow you to quickly access the VPN’s website, make an account, and download the app onto your device (preferably a computer so you can use it as a virtual router later). You can also go to a friend or family member’s house and download it there.
2. Use a proxy service. Although a proxy service won’t give you the same security as a VPN, it can mask your IP address and allow you to access the VPN’s website. Make sure you use a tried and tested proxy site so that you don’t expose your computer to trackers or malware.

After you download the VPN on a Windows or macOS device, you can then create a virtual router to share that secure connection. That way, you can download your VPN app on all your other devices. You’ll have to configure your VPN on your computer, and this process may look different based on which device and which VPN you use.

Method 3: Modify Your Router

Virgin Media's SuperHub routers don’t support VPNs, so in order to install the VPN on your router, you’ll have to modify the router. Essentially, you’ll need to switch your router into modem mode and connect a second, VPN-compatible router.

The setup process will look different for every router. All of my recommended VPNs are compatible with certain routers and provide detailed step-by-step guides to set up the VPN. Your VPN’s support can help you through the process.

You can also buy an already pre-configured router if your VPN offers one. That way, you don’t need to configure anything — just plug the router onto your network and you’re all set. I recommend getting one of ExpressVPN’s pre-configured routers. This VPN is one of the rare ones that also come with a router app to make it easier for you to change locations.

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FAQs on VPNs for Virgin Media

Why won’t my VPN work with my Virgin Media router?

In general, Virgin Media SuperHub routers don’t support VPNs, so you may have to modify your router to use the VPN. You’ll need to connect another VPN-compatible router and use the Virgin Media one in modem mode. But if you don’t want to go through this process, you can just install the VPN on the devices that you’re using the most.

Can a VPN bypass Virgin Media throttling?

Yes. A VPN can bypass throttling by Virgin Media or any other ISP by masking your IP address with one from the VPN. This will prevent your ISP from tracking you, blocking content, or seeing any of your internet activity.

When choosing a VPN to avoid ISP throttling, you’ll need fast connection speeds so you can browse and stream without long loading times. I highly recommend ExpressVPN because it’s the fastest VPN I tested. Most VPNs slow down your speeds by up to 20% or more. However, my speed drop with ExpressVPN is always less than 10% even on long distances, which is unnoticeable.

How do I unblock my Virgin Media VPN?

The easiest way to unblock your VPN is to ask Virgin Media to remove its filters. If that doesn’t work, you can also try downloading the VPN on another WiFi network or using a proxy service to access the VPN website.

Where is Virgin Media available?

Virgin Media is a UK internet service provider. It also has a streaming service called Virgin TV Go, which is only available in the UK. If you’re traveling abroad and still want to watch your favorite Virgin TV Go show, you’ll need to use a VPN to get a UK IP address.

Can I use a free VPN for Virgin Media?

Most free VPNs won’t be compatible with Virgin Media. While you can try using a free VPN, I wouldn’t recommend it. I’ve tested several, and they are usually pretty slow and unreliable. Instead, I’d recommend using a paid VPN with a money-back guarantee.

Free VPNs often have slower speeds due to overcrowding on their small server networks. They likely won’t be able to keep up with Virgin Media’s VPN-blocking technologies, so their IP addresses will often be blacklisted. And even if a free VPN does work with Virgin Media, it won’t take long for you to hit its data cap.

Free VPNs come with a hidden cost, usually in the form of giving up your security and privacy. Without the security that premium VPNs offer, your data can be exposed to your ISP or hackers. Apps that look like free VPNs can even contain malware, so you might be putting your device at risk.

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Get the Best VPN for Virgin Media Today

If you’re frustrated by Virgin Media’s blocks on torrenting sites and other platforms, as well as its throttling, you’re not alone. A good VPN will allow you to access any content online while keeping your connection protected from Virgin Media’s tracking. It also keeps your data private, making sure your ISP or any other third parties can’t see it or use it against you in any way.

My #1 choice to use with Virgin Media is ExpressVPN. It has fantastic unblocking capabilities and superfast speeds so that you can stream, download, or do anything else online without interruptions. It also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can try it out risk-free. If you change your mind, you can get a full refund.

To summarize, here are the best VPNs for Virgin Media