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Surfshark One
The best value VPN in 2026: unlimited devices, Antivirus, 4500+ servers, CleanWeb, Cybersecurity bundle, NoBorders, GPS override, Surfshark Everlink, fast servers in 100+ countries, and watertight privacy.
- Unlimited devices
- No-logs policy
- 100+ countries
- 24/7 support
RedTube has been blocked in the UK since February 2, 2026, and it’s not going away on its own. If you visit from a UK connection, you just get a message saying the service isn’t available in your region.
I work full-time in cybersecurity and have published more than 600 VPN videos over 3+ years on my AllThingsVPN and VPNR channels. In this guide, I show how adults can access RedTube from the UK with a VPN, which VPNs work best, and what to know before you start.
Why RedTube is blocked in the UK
The UK’s Online Safety Act requires adult websites to verify the age of UK visitors with “highly effective” checks before showing any content. Ofcom started enforcing it on July 25, 2025, and can fine sites up to £18 million or 10% of global revenue.
Aylo, the company behind RedTube, Pornhub and YouPorn, says those checks are invasive and flawed because they require photo ID, face scans or card details. Instead of building them, Aylo blocked new UK users across its free sites on February 2, 2026.
How to unblock RedTube in the UK (step by step)
A VPN routes your connection through a server in another country, giving you a foreign IP address. RedTube sees you browsing from outside the UK, so there’s no block and no ID prompt.
1
Sign up for Surfshark One
Surfshark One is my top pick: the fastest VPN I’ve tested, unlimited devices, plus antivirus and identity alerts. It costs $2.79/mo on the 2-year plan with 85% off.
2
Download and install the app
Surfshark has apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android and Linux. Install it and log in.
3
Connect to a server outside the UK
The Netherlands or Ireland are close, fast and have no restrictive age rules. Avoid France, Italy and US states with their own laws, such as Texas, Utah, Louisiana or Virginia.
4
Visit RedTube
Open a private window and go to RedTube. If you see an “Are you 18?” prompt, just confirm; you won’t be asked for ID outside the UK.
Best VPNs to unblock RedTube in the UK in 2026
I tested each of these VPNs from a UK connection for speed, privacy and how reliably they reached RedTube. Here is my shortlist, in order.
Surfshark One
Unlimited devices at an unbeatable price
- Unlimited devices
- No-logs policy
- Antivirus
- 4500+ servers
- CleanWeb
- 100+ countries
- 24/7 support
IPVanish
Lightning fast speeds with no-log policy
- Unlimited devices
- No-logs policy
- 3200+ servers
- 24/7 support
Proton VPN
Open-source, audited and trusted by privacy experts
- Open source
- Swiss privacy laws
- No-logs audited
- Free plan available
PrivadoVPN
The cheapest VPN with a generous free tier
- Iceland-based
- No-logs policy
- 200+ servers
- Free plan available
- 10 devices
NordVPN
Fast, audited VPN with strong security extras
- Audited no-logs
- Threat Protection
- Double VPN
- 10 devices
VeePN
Affordable VPN with servers in 60+ countries
- 2500+ servers
- 60+ countries
- No-logs policy
- 10 devices
ExpressVPN
Simple apps that work well for beginners
- Lightway protocol
- Audited no-logs
- 100+ countries
- 10 devices on Basic
1. Surfshark One: best overall and the fastest VPN I tested
Surfshark One is the VPN I recommend most for RedTube. Its Netherlands server gave me 489 Mbps down in testing, and overall it kept about 96% of my base speed, the best of any VPN I’ve tested.
The One plan adds antivirus, breach alerts and private search on top of the VPN, which beats paying for them separately. The kill switch worked reliably in my tests.
Surfshark is part of Nord Security, the group behind NordVPN, though the two run separate infrastructure. The deal is $2.79/mo on the 2-year plan with 85% off and 3 months free.
What I liked
- About 96% speed retention, fastest in my tests
- Unlimited simultaneous devices
- Fast Dutch and Irish servers
- Antivirus and identity protection in Surfshark One
- Audited no-logs policy
What I didn’t like
- Slightly fewer servers than NordVPN
- Shares a parent company with NordVPN
Full breakdown in my Surfshark One review and on the Surfshark coupon page.
Get Surfshark One for 85% OFF
+ 3 months free included. Just $2.79/mo on the 2-year plan with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
2. IPVanish: unlimited devices, fast speeds and budget friendly
IPVanish handles unlimited devices, which makes it practical for shared households. It reached RedTube from its Dutch servers and kept about 93% of my base speed.
One thing to know: in 2016, under a previous owner, IPVanish handed user data to US authorities despite a no-logs claim. It has since changed owners and had its no-logs policy independently audited.
The deal is 84% off at $2.39/mo on the 24-month Essential plan, plus a 3 GB eSIM data gift. More in my IPVanish review.
What I liked
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- About 93% speed retention
- Competitive pricing
What I didn’t like
- The 2016 data incident still worries some users
- Fewer countries than Surfshark
Not sure which VPN fits you best?
Surfshark One is my top pick overall, but you can compare every VPN I've tested side by side in my full guide.
See all VPN comparisons →3. Proton VPN: best for privacy
If you want to be sure nothing is logged or tracked, Proton VPN is the strongest option. Its apps are open source and audited, and it operates under Swiss privacy law.
It unblocked RedTube reliably from Dutch and Irish servers and kept about 92% of my base speed. The deal is 70% off at $2.99/mo on the 2-year plan. Full details in my Proton VPN review.
What I liked
- Open-source, audited apps
- Swiss jurisdiction
- Free plan with Dutch servers and no data cap
What I didn’t like
- A little slower than Surfshark
- Interface is less intuitive for beginners
4. PrivadoVPN: cheapest option and best free VPN
PrivadoVPN is the cheapest VPN I recommend at $1.11/mo on the 2-year plan, with 90% off and 3 months free. It’s based in Iceland and offers a free plan with 10 GB per month.
It unblocked RedTube from European servers and kept about 85% of my base speed. I haven’t seen a published independent audit of its no-logs policy, so you’re trusting the claim. Read my PrivadoVPN review.
What I liked
- Cheapest paid plan on my list
- Generous free tier with 10 GB per month
- Iceland-based
What I didn’t like
- No published independent audit that I’ve seen
- Smaller server network
5. NordVPN: one of the fastest, but pricier
NordVPN unblocks RedTube from the UK without any issues and has more locations to choose from if a server is busy. It kept about 91% of my base speed, behind Surfshark’s 96%, and costs more at $3.59/mo on the Plus plan with 75% off and 3 months free.
See my NordVPN review or my Surfshark vs NordVPN comparison.
What I liked
- Very large server network
- Threat Protection blocks trackers and malicious ads
- Audited no-logs policy
What I didn’t like
- Pricier than Surfshark One
- Slower than Surfshark in my tests
6. VeePN: budget streaming pick
VeePN costs $1.99/mo on the 2-year plan, with 83% off and 4 extra months free. It kept about 88% of my base speed and reached RedTube from Dutch servers, though it has fewer extras than the top picks.
7. ExpressVPN: easiest to use
ExpressVPN is the easiest VPN I’ve tested, with a one-tap interface and very reliable unblocking. It kept about 91% of my base speed and covers 10 devices on the Basic plan, at $2.79/mo with 78% off and 4 months free.
ExpressVPN is owned by Kape Technologies, which also owns CyberGhost and PIA and started out in the adware business before rebranding. See my ExpressVPN review.
VPN comparison table
| VPN | Best for | Speed retention | Devices | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surfshark One | Best overall, fastest | ~96% | Unlimited | $2.79/mo, 85% OFF + 3 months |
| IPVanish | Unlimited devices | ~93% | Unlimited | $2.39/mo, 84% OFF |
| Proton VPN | Privacy-first | ~92% | 10 | $2.99/mo, 70% OFF |
| PrivadoVPN | Cheapest, best free | ~85% | 10 | $1.11/mo, 90% OFF + 3 months |
| NordVPN | Fast, pricier | ~91% | 10 | $3.59/mo, 75% OFF + 3 months |
| VeePN | Budget streaming | ~88% | 10 | $1.99/mo, 83% OFF + 4 months |
| ExpressVPN | Ease of use | ~91% | 10 | $2.79/mo, 78% OFF + 4 months |
All plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Current deals are on my VPN deals page.
Which server location should I connect to?
Not every country works. Some now have their own age verification rules, so connecting there won’t help.
My recommendation: Netherlands first, Ireland second. Both are close to the UK, both work reliably with RedTube, and latency is low enough that you won’t notice any drop in video quality.
Why you shouldn’t use a random free VPN
Free sounds appealing, but most free VPNs are a bad fit here:
- Privacy: many log and sell your activity, the opposite of what you want.
- Performance: throttled speeds and data caps run out fast with video.
- Blocklists: free VPN IPs are often already flagged by sites.
Two free plans I’d trust: Proton VPN Free, with unlimited data and Dutch servers that work with RedTube, and PrivadoVPN Free, with 10 GB per month. Expect slower speeds than a paid plan.
Is it legal to use a VPN to access RedTube in the UK?
Yes. VPNs are legal in the UK, and millions of people use them for work, privacy and travel. In July 2026, the government decided not to restrict or age-gate VPNs, saying they have legitimate privacy and security uses.
The Online Safety Act places duties on websites, not on adults using privacy tools. Bypassing a site’s block may breach its terms of service, which is a civil matter, not a criminal one, and none of this applies to anyone under 18.
Troubleshooting: RedTube still not loading with a VPN?
- Still seeing the UK block: check your server. France, Italy or a restricted US state won’t work; switch to the Netherlands or Ireland.
- Videos buffer or won’t play: try another server in the same country, or switch between WireGuard and OpenVPN.
- Old cookies: if you visited RedTube from the UK first, clear cookies and cache, then reload with the VPN on.
- “Access Denied”: your VPN IP may be blocklisted. Reconnect to a different server in the same country.
Frequently asked questions
Why is RedTube blocked in the UK?
The Online Safety Act requires adult sites to verify UK visitors’ ages. Aylo called the checks invasive and blocked new UK users on February 2, 2026, across RedTube, Pornhub, YouPorn and its other free sites.
Which VPN is best for unblocking RedTube in the UK?
Surfshark One. It was the fastest VPN in my tests, covers unlimited devices and includes antivirus and identity protection. Proton VPN is the best choice if privacy is your priority.
Is it illegal to use a VPN to access RedTube in the UK?
No. VPNs are legal in the UK, and the Online Safety Act places obligations on websites, not adult users. It may breach the site’s terms, which is a civil issue, not a criminal one.
Can I use a free VPN to unblock RedTube?
Most free VPNs log data, cap bandwidth and buffer constantly. Proton VPN Free, with unlimited data and Dutch servers, and PrivadoVPN Free are the exceptions I’d trust.
What server location should I connect to?
The Netherlands or Ireland. Switzerland and Canada also work. Avoid France, Italy and restricted US states like Texas, Utah, Louisiana, Virginia and Mississippi.
Will RedTube ever unblock UK users?
Possibly. Aylo has already let iPhone users verified by Apple’s age check back onto Pornhub, and it could extend that approach. For everyone else, a VPN is the only reliable option for now.
Are other adult sites also blocked in the UK?
Yes. All Aylo sites took the same approach as RedTube. Others, like xHamster, added age checks instead, and Ofcom says all of the UK’s top 10 porn sites now comply.
Can I use Tor instead of a VPN?
Tor can get around geo-blocks, but it’s far too slow for video. A VPN is the right tool for this job.
Surfshark One
The best value VPN in 2026: unlimited devices, Antivirus, 4500+ servers, CleanWeb, Cybersecurity bundle, NoBorders, GPS override, Surfshark Everlink, fast servers in 100+ countries, and watertight privacy.
- Unlimited devices
- No-logs policy
- 100+ countries
- 24/7 support
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