VPNs are enjoying a surge in popularity across the UK, following the introduction of the Online Safety Act. to bolster their privacy online. At the time of writing, 5 out of the 10 most-downloaded free apps on the Apple App Store are currently VPNs. One provider, Proton VPN, reported an hourly spike of 1,400% above its typical usage levels in the wake of the Online Safety Act coming into force across the UK.
Once the sole dominion of work-issued laptops and other enterprise IT equipment, there's no doubt, Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are extremely popular in the UK at the moment.
You might associate Currys with a lot of things — same-day collection, electronics and video games, and its trademark purple logo. But chances are, you've never thought of this high street retailer as the go-to place for a secure VPN... until now. Powered by underlying technology from IPVanish, Currys Secure VPN has the same perks as IPVanish's Essential plan, but backed by the much-loved UK brand. That means you'll benefit from Currys customer service and can even head in-store to discuss with one of the sales team
You might not always be familiar with the brands behind the , including the likes of NordVPN, ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, P.I.A., Surfshark, or Proton VPN, to name a few... but we guarantee you'll be aware of one of the newest entries into the VPN market: Currys Secure VPN.
Yes, the electronics superstore launched its first foray into the competitive VPN market late last year.
Rather than developing the technology independently, Currys partnered with established VPN provider IPVanish to power the service. This close collaboration means you're getting proven technology from a recognised industry player, repackaged under the much-loved Currys brand.
You can buy a subscription to Secure VPN from Currys' online store too — handy if you're unsure about entering your payment details into the checkout of a service that you haven't heard of before.
While Currys Secure VPN first launched at the end of last year, it expanded into Ireland on June 18, 2025. The timing appears strategic — or at the very least, fortuitous — given the surge in VPN demand across the UK.
The service offers several key features that might appeal if you're seeking comprehensive protection:
How much does the Currys Secure VPN cost?
, which means this service falls somewhere in the mid-range bracket. Irish customers recently benefited from when bought alongside another product, though this represented a limited-time promotion.
If you decide to bundle the Currys Secure VPN with its encrypted cloud storage solution, dubbed Currys Cloud Backup, the UK retailer will dramatically slash the cost from £75 for the VPN alone to just £35 for both. That's a dramatic 53% discount on the standard subscription cost
Unfortunately, there's no such offer available on Currys' shelves in the UK at the moment. However, if you bundle the Currys Secure VPN with the retailer's Cloud Backup service, .
When comparing Currys Secure VPN to other options on the market, you'll find it . That makes sense, since it's IPVanish powering the service behind-the-scenes. This positions it competitively against many providers, though it lacks some advanced capabilities found in premium services.
It's worth noting that IPVanish is — compared to the usual cost of £129.98. That's .
For example, the £75 VPN doesn't offer a dedicated IP addresses or specialised servers for specific activities, which might mean it falls behind some competitors when it comes to streaming or online gaming.
Some competitors provide additional security features like double VPN or onion routing, which aren't mentioned in Currys' offering. However, the unlimited device protection sets it apart from many rivals that restrict simultaneous connections. The 2,400+ server network, whilst substantial, falls short of market leaders like NordVPN, which operates significantly larger infrastructures.
If you're concerned about online privacy following recent regulatory changes, the technical specifications of Currys Secure VPN might reassure you. The service employs 256-bit encryption, matching industry standards for data protection.
Should your VPN connection drop unexpectedly, the kill switch feature automatically halts internet traffic, preventing accidental exposure of your activities. Split tunnelling allows you to route specific applications through the VPN whilst others connect directly, offering flexibility in your browsing.
The integrated Threat Protection actively blocks advertisements, tracking attempts and potentially harmful websites. Combined with DNS leak protection, these features create multiple security layers between you and potential online threats.
The partnership represents a strategic move for both companies, with IPVanish's Head of Product Marketing, Robert Custons, noting: "Consumers are crying out for ways to safeguard their privacy and stay secure, and as the most trusted electronic retailer in the UK and Ireland, Currys is in a unique position to help educate people on the benefits of VPNs."
This collaboration extends beyond VPNs. That's because IPVanish's sister company, Livedrive, has maintained a 15-year partnership with Currys for cloud storage services. If you're seeking a trusted retailer's backing for your VPN choice, this established relationship might provide additional confidence in the service's reliability.
How does Currys Secure VPN compare to its closest rivals?
For a limited time, newcomers to NordVPN and its Threat Protection solution will be treated to to spend on anything they want from the online superstore. If you switch to , the award-winning VPN provider will send out a £20 Gift Card. But that's supercharged to £50 when you upgrade to
If you're looking for some of the lowest monthly bills around, look no further than the award-winning Surfshark VPN. It's cut monthly subscription prices by a jaw-dropping 85%. Not only that, but Surfshark will also bundle an extra three months at the end of a two-year plan, dropping the effective cost to . Surfshark lets you use your subscription across unlimited devices