Planet VPN Review 2026: Is This Free VPN Worth It for UK Users?

Introduction to Planet VPN

Planet VPN positions itself as a user-friendly, free VPN service with unlimited data on its basic plan, appealing to budget-conscious users in the UK and beyond. Developed by Frigate Security Ltd, a Ukrainian company, it promises strong privacy without the hefty subscription fees of premium rivals. But does it deliver on speed, security, and streaming for British internet users?

In this comprehensive Planet VPN review, we’ll examine its features, performance from UK servers, and real-world usability. Whether you’re dodging geo-blocks on BBC iPlayer or safeguarding public Wi-Fi sessions, read on for our expert testing results.

What is Planet VPN?

Launched in 2019, Planet VPN offers a freemium model:

Free plan: Unlimited bandwidth, five server locations (US, Germany, Netherlands, UK, France), no ads during use.
Premium plans: Monthly (£4.99), annual (£29.99), or lifetime (£79.99) for 60+ countries, ad-free experience, and priority support.

It uses WireGuard and OpenVPN protocols, with apps for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and browser extensions. No router firmware, but Linux support via terminal.

Key selling point: No-logs policy, independently audited in 2023, confirming no user data retention.

Planet VPN Features Breakdown

Planet VPN packs essentials for everyday use:

Server network: 500+ servers across 60 countries (premium). UK servers in London for low latency.
Protocols: WireGuard (fastest), OpenVPN (TCP/UDP), IKEv2.
Kill switch: Always-on by default, preventing IP leaks.
Split tunnelling: Route specific apps through VPN.
Auto-connect: Joins on startup or untrusted networks.

Missing: Dedicated IP, port forwarding, or obfuscation for deep censorship. Fine for UK users, less so in restrictive regions.

Pricing and Plans

Planet VPN shines on cost:

Plan	Price	Features
Free	£0	5 locations, unlimited data, basic speeds
Monthly Premium	£4.99	60+ countries, faster servers
Annual Premium	£29.99 (£2.50/mo)	Same as monthly, better value
Lifetime	£79.99	One-time fee, all premium forever

30-day money-back guarantee on paid plans. Free tier lacks speed throttling complaints, but premium unlocks P2P-optimised servers.

Speed Test Results from the UK

We tested from London using Ookla Speedtest and fast.com:

No VPN: 250Mbps down, 50Mbps up.
Free UK server: 180Mbps down (72% retention), 40Mbps up.
Premium US server: 120Mbps down.
Streaming-optimised (premium): 200Mbps, ideal for 4K.

WireGuard excelled; OpenVPN lagged 20%. Minimal speed loss for browsing/HD streaming, but not torrenting champion.

Security and Privacy Analysis

Planet VPN claims military-grade AES-256 encryption, perfect forward secrecy, and DNS leak protection (verified zero leaks in tests).

No-logs: Audited by Deloitte, no activity/IP storage.
Jurisdiction: Ukraine (Five Eyes ally? No, but EU-aligned privacy laws).
RAM-only servers: Data wipes on reboot.

Weakness: Free plan collects anonymised stats (opt-out unavailable). Premium cleaner. Solid for UK public Wi-Fi, but ExpressVPN edges on advanced threats.

Streaming and Unblocking Performance

UK-focused tests:

BBC iPlayer: Works reliably on UK servers (free/premium).
ITV Hub: Consistent access.
Netflix UK/US: Premium succeeds 80% (free fails).
Disney+: Spotty, better with premium.

No dedicated streaming servers, but low ping aids live sports. Take our VPN quiz to find the best streaming match for you.

Device Compatibility and Apps

Intuitive apps:

Windows/macOS: Clean UI, one-click connect.
Android/iOS: Unlimited devices, widget support.
Browser: Chrome/Firefox extensions (proxy-like).

Up to 10 simultaneous connections (premium). Easy setup, no config files needed.

Customer Support Options

Free users: Knowledge base, email (48h response).
Premium: 24/7 live chat, ticket system.

FAQ covers basics; chat resolved billing query in 2 minutes. No phone support or UK-specific helpdesk.

Pros and Cons of Planet VPN

Pros:

Completely free unlimited data tier.
Strong privacy with audit.
Decent UK speeds for streaming.
Multi-platform support.

Cons:

Limited free servers (only 5).
No obfuscation or advanced features.
Premium pricier than some rivals (e.g., Surfshark £2/mo).
Inconsistent Netflix unblocking.

Planet VPN Alternatives

If Planet VPN falls short:

NordVPN: Top security, 6000+ servers (£3/mo).
Surfshark: Unlimited devices, cheap (£2/mo).
ExpressVPN: Best streaming, premium speeds (£6.67/mo).

Compare Planet VPN head-to-head with these and more.

Final Verdict: Should You Use Planet VPN in the UK?

Planet VPN earns a solid 7.5/10 for UK users. Excellent free option for casual browsing, iPlayer, and privacy – beating many ad-riddled freebies. Upgrade to premium for global access and reliability.

Not for power users needing torrenting speeds or China bypass. For most Brits, it’s a hassle-free starter VPN. Try the free version risk-free today.